Peter Taylor (British politician)

Peter Taylor
Mayor of Watford
Assumed office
7 May 2018
Preceded byDorothy Thornhill
Personal details
Political partyLiberal Democrats
Residence(s)Oxhey, Hertfordshire, England

Peter Colin Taylor is a Liberal Democrat politician. He is the second directly elected mayor of Watford in the United Kingdom. He was elected in the 2018 election,[1] succeeding Dorothy Thornhill. Before becoming Elected Mayor of Watford, he was a teacher and a local Oxhey ward councillor. He was re-elected in 2022.[2]

Early life and career

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Peter Taylor was raised in Sheffield and attended Notre Dame High School. He then attended the University of Edinburgh before moving to Watford to work as a teacher. He continued to work in the education sector as assistant director to the Catholic Education Service, representing over 2000 Catholic schools in England and Wales.[3]

Councillor

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Peter Taylor was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor in Oxhey Ward in 2012. He served in Dorothy Thornhill's Cabinet as Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Client Services, overseeing the town's parks, leisure centres, bin collections and theatres.[4]

Mayor

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Peter Taylor was elected Mayor of Watford on 4 May 2018, succeeding incumbent Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill with an increased first preference vote share of 48.7%.[5]

Peter Taylor made improving the town's transport infrastructure and increasing support for local rough sleepers some of his key priorities. In particular, he is working to introduce a new Cycle Hire Scheme to Watford as well as a new On Demand Bus Service.[6] He is looking for a replacement to the previous Metropolitan Line Extension since Transport for London were unable to complete the scheme.[7]

Peter Taylor uses various social media platforms and hosts regular Facebook Live Q and A sessions with local residents to quiz him about his plans for the town.[8]

Personal life

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Peter Taylor lives in Oxhey with his wife and three children.

References

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  1. ^ "Local elections 2018 latest". BBC. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Watford Borough Council elections results". 29 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Home". catholiceducation.org.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  4. ^ Council, Watford Borough. "The Mayor and his Cabinet". watford.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  5. ^ "Vote 2018: Watford mayoral election result". 4 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  6. ^ Council, Watford Borough. "New initiatives could offer residents and visitors a healthy and cheap way to travel". watford.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  7. ^ "'We will get your Met Line money back'". Watford Observer. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  8. ^ Ask your questions about crime and anti... - Peter Taylor - Mayor of Watford, retrieved 29 May 2019