Frequently Asked Questions — Central Ward

Who won the Central ward election in 2024?

Liberal Democrats held Central ward at the 2 May 2024 Local Election. Liberal Democrats won with a majority of 352 votes (17.6%). Turnout was 28.0%.

Which council does Central ward elect to?

Central is a ward within Watford. Councillors elected here sit on Watford Council, responsible for local services including planning, housing, social care, and waste collection. At this election 28.0% of eligible voters cast a ballot — local elections typically attract 25–40% turnout nationally.

What does swing mean in UK elections?

Swing measures how much support has shifted between two parties compared to a previous election. The Butler swing formula — used in British election reporting since the 1950s — takes the average of the gain in the winner's vote share and the loss in the runner-up's. A 5% swing is considered large at ward level; anything above 10% is exceptional. The swing figure for Central in 2024 is shown in the statistics above.