Harrow Liberal Democrats believe they have the power to help hold Harrow Council to account, as they look to make gains in this year’s local elections.

The group currently has one sitting councillor – Christopher Noyce in Rayners Lane – but it is confident it can improve on May 3.

It has based its 2018 campaign on six key pledges, including cleaning up the borough and improving communication between the council and residents.

Like Harrow Conservatives, the Lib Dems want to standardise 30 minutes free parking in Harrow.

They have also promoted a Harrow Resident Card to streamline access to certain services and have advocated the abolishment of the brown bin charge.

Charis Croft, chairman of Harrow Liberal Democrats, said: “We want to establish a better connection between the council and the people it serves.

“That’s the thread that that runs through our whole ethos because we’ve been out on the streets and understand what people need.

“Our final pledge, to make the council more accountable to residents, underpins the others and we believe we have the chance to make a real difference.”

The Lib Dems have 28 candidates standing in Harrow, and Ms Croft believes they have a chance to make headway in Rayners Lane and Harrow Weald.

“We can’t really allow ourselves to go backwards, given our current situation,” she said.

“We have some excellent candidates and there’s been strong support in some wards so we’re hoping for a positive result.”

She added that it was important to have political diversity in the council and believes her party is well placed to offer an alternative to the current make up, which is dominated by Labour and the Tories.

“If you want change and want to make Harrow Council listen to what you want and need, then it’s a vote for Lib Dem this May,” she said.