Two Long Serving Chiswick Councillors to Stand Down

John Todd and Gerald McGregor will not contest next year's election

L to r: Linden Grigg, Cllr John Todd, Cllr Jack Emsley and Mike Denniss

July 29, 2025

The local Conservative party has announced that two of its longest serving councillors will not be standing in the local elections due to take place this May.

John Todd and Gerald McGregor have represented Chiswick Homefields ward for 20 and 22 years respectively and since then have regularly come first and second in the polls. Both have established reputations as diligent, hard-working councillors.

Cllr McGregor first won his seat in a by-election in 2004 and was joined on the council two years later by Cllr Todd.

It was confirmed to Conservative party members at this Monday night’s (28 July) meeting that the two veteran councillors would not be standing. Former councillor Mike Denniss and Linden Grigg were selected as replacements with Cllr Jack Emsley also chosen to stand again for the seat.

Mike Denniss had previously served as a councillor for Chiswick Riverside between 2018 and 2022 before moving to Brentford. He grew up in Grove Park and works in the energy sector.

Linden Grigg is a Devonshire Road resident and works as a Senior Parliamentary Assistant. Following his selection, he said, "It's a real honour to be selected as a Conservative candidate in my home ward of Chiswick Homefields.

“Having John and Gerald as models is a rare gift for any Council candidate. I'm looking forward to carrying their legacy of hard work and sound judgement into the Election next year and, hopefully, beyond.”

Cllr Emsley, said after the vote, “Firstly, a huge thanks to John and Gerald for more than two decades of service to our local area, and for being exceptional mentors to me since I was elected three years ago. Whether it’s high casework numbers or the large number of meetings we attend, Chiswick Homefields is one of the best served wards by its local councillors in the entire borough. I’m excited to stand on that record in next year’s elections, alongside two brilliant new candidates in Mike and Linden.”

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