Chiswick Gunnersbury Councillor Defects to Labour

Ranjit Gill blames internal divisions in the party for decision

Cllr Ranjit Gill (right) shakes hands with a new Labour colleague

May 29, 2025

This Tuesday’s (27 May) Annual General Meeting of Hounslow Council saw an announcement by a Chiswick councillor that he was switching party.

Cllr Ranjit Gill was elected as a Conservative for Chiswick Gunnersbury ward in 2022, having previously represented Turnham Green ward since 2018 before boundary changes.

In an open letter to his constituents he said, “After careful thought, I’ve made the decision to leave the Conservative Party and join the Labour Party.

“Over two terms as a Councillor, I’ve worked hard for the people of Chiswick and Hounslow. But the internal divisions within the Conservative group have made it harder to do what really matters – getting things done for local residents.

“Unfortunately, not all members are treated equally or given the opportunity to contribute fully. Despite talk of unity, the reality has often been disheartening. In contrast, I’ve found the Labour administration open, helpful, and genuinely focused on solutions.

“My priority has always been – and remains – the people I represent. The best way I can serve them now is by working within a team that shares my values and delivers results. That’s why I’m joining the Labour Party.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. I look forward to continuing to represent our community with energy, integrity, and compassion – now as part of the Labour team.”

Cllr Gill finished in third place in the local elections in May 2022 just 23 votes ahead of a Labour candidate. A member of the local Conservative party conceded that the seat could be vulnerable to Labour at the next election, due to take place on 7 May, 2026 particularly if it was contested by a Reform candidate.

Cllr Peter Thompson, Conservative Group Leader issued a statement saying, " Cllr Ranjit Gill left the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council without notice, discussion, or explanation. His sudden departure is disappointing and regrettable.

"The people of Chiswick Gunnersbury elected him as a Conservative. He walks away from that commitment and joins a party that has publicly referred to Chiswick as a 'backwater'. This is particularly striking given that, just weeks ago, he wrote in the Hounslow Herald attacking Labour’s approach to planning, local services, and policies that, in his own words, 'threaten the character and independence' of our neighbourhoods.

"On a personal level, I find it difficult to understand how someone you’ve worked alongside for many years could make such a move without a word of discussion or warning. I feel deeply upset and let down by the way this has been handled.

"I also don’t recognise Cllr Gill’s description of our Group. We are a team of independently minded local councillors with a variety of views on local issues, as any healthy, democratic group should be. We’re not a dictatorship and our residents wouldn’t want us to be. Disagreements happen, that’s politics, but we’ve always worked together to serve our communities.

"If Cllr Gill truly believes in his new political allegiance, he should have the courage to seek a fresh mandate from the residents of Chiswick Gunnersbury, who deserve to choose who represents them.

"We have two very hardworking councillors in Ron and Jo and know they will continue to do all they can for residents and businesses in the heart of Chiswick and in Gunnersbury. Their visibility, responsiveness and dedication speak volumes. We look forward to the local elections next year when we will offer residents three locally committed candidates who will put residents and businesses first."

Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat said, “We want to offer a really warm welcome to Ranjit, a dedicated Councillor who has put serving residents above silly squabbles and petty parochialism.

“We have spoken together about our shared plans to make Chiswick – and the borough as a whole – a thriving economic and cultural hub. Together, we want a borough that is greener, cleaner, safer and fairer.

“We want to be an administration for every part of this borough. In Chiswick, that has meant investing in Chiswick’s culture and heritage, such as our partnership with Chiswick House. It means backing local businesses to the hilt and cutting red tape to allow the local markets to thrive. It includes brightening up our green spaces – such as the improvements we are making to Gingko Corner. And it means cracking down on crimes against our streets and communities, such as fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.

“With Ranjit joining the Hounslow Labour team, we’ll be able to do all this and more – making sure that Chiswick voices are properly represented on the Council.”

Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick, was also in attendance, “I am delighted to welcome Ranjit to the team, here in Chiswick. He is clearly passionate about doing what is right for residents and believes, like me, that Chiswick needs a change. I look forward to working together!”

Cllr Gill is the second Conservative councillor to have defected to Labour under the current administration following the switch by Cllr Kuldeep Tak, Councillor for Feltham North last year. This leaves the Conservative group with just eight members.

Labour have lost a seat to an independent in a by-election and taken the whip away from Cllr Guy Lambert as well as seeing Cllr Amritpal Mann switch to Workers Party of Britain.

Cllr Amy Croft, who represents Chiswick Riverside for Labour, was elected Mayor of Hounslow, at the council AGM, which the Labour administration says is a sign of its commitment to making sure Chiswick residents get proper representation on the Council.

We have asked the Conservative group for comment on Cllr Gill's departure.