Brentford By-election Reflections and Looking Forward to the Area Forum

As I write this the UK is marking International Women’s Day on 8 March. The need for real progress on gender equality has never been more urgent. With this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, the focus is on real change—not just talk. Progress is stalling. Women in the UK still face a gender pay gap, rising domestic violence rates, and under representation in leadership. Online abuse and misogynistic narratives are fuelling inequality. As a father of two daughters, I want them to grow up in a world where they are safe, respected, and given the same opportunities as their male peers. But right now, women still earn less, face higher risks of violence, and struggle for equal representation. I am proud that my party has given this country 3 women Prime Ministers and 4 Party leaders but there is more to do. Gender equality isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s about fairness and a better future for the next generation. We owe it to our daughters—and to all women—to ensure that equality is not just a distant goal, but a present reality.

Labour’s Broken Promises: Council Tax Rises Despite Pledge

During the election campaign, the Prime Minister promised to freeze council tax—even urging voters to “rip up” their bills. But as April approaches, residents are instead facing a 4.99% increase, the maximum allowed. Labour also voted to dim local streetlights and cut the budget for road maintenance in the borough. These misguided choices were made to plug a growing local budget deficit. Lampton Group, a business wholly owned by the council, is driving this deficit. The group has made a whopping cumulative loss of over £13 million to date. Lampton Group is a failed experiment. Conservative councillors voted to axe the waste and wind up Lampton. The money could be used to properly fund street lighting, tree planting and road maintenance. Instead, Labour blocked our fully funded alternatives. My colleague, Cllr Ron Mushiso, presented a petition urging the council to reconsider the cuts. Over 1000 signatories agreed with us that good lighting is crucial for community safety. Conservative councillors will continue to fight for a better deal for local taxpayers. Less light, more fines, and higher taxes—is this Labour’s vision for Hounslow?

By-Election Reflections Part 1: Low Turnout

It was off to the Hanuman Hindu Temple in Brentford on Thursday night for the results of the two Brentford by-elections. Both wards – Brentford East and Syon & Brentford Lock – are traditionally strongly Labour when it comes to elections. But that didn’t stop us campaigning hard.

On the Campaign Trial in Brentford East with our former MP, Mary Macleod, and our candidate Christine Cunniffe (centre)

Brentford East remained in Labour hands, but the victory was overshadowed by low voter turnout, with only 15.09% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Local elections are the backbone of our democracy, yet alarmingly low turnout is weakening their legitimacy. When only a small fraction of voters participate, councils are elected by a minority, leaving decisions on taxes, services, and infrastructure in the hands of the few, not the many. With local elections on the horizon, parties will need to rebuild trust and energize the electorate to prevent further voter apathy. It’s time to re-engage voters and restore trust in local government—because democracy works best when everyone takes part. The only good thing about the low turn out was that the count was thankfully over just after midnight!

Conservative Activist, Councillors and Candidates Mike Denniss (with the blue bow tie!) and Christine Cunniffe (in the green jacket) at the count

By-Election Reflections Part 2: Dirty Politics

Meanwhile, in the Syon & Brentford Lock by-election, Independent candidate Theo Dennison – a former Labour Councillor - pulled off a surprise victory, defeating Labour’s by just 12 votes. This by-election was marred by controversy and mudslinging, as candidates clashed in what some are calling one of the dirtiest local campaigns in recent memory. The campaign was fraught with accusations, personal attacks, and questionable tactics. There were smears, misinformation, and intimidation tactics aimed at discrediting opponents rather than focusing on real issues. In one Labour leaflet it was implied that Theo Dennison would prop up the Conservatives on Hounslow Council and in another of being a supporter of George Galloway's Workers’ Party. Labour’s loss in a traditionally safe area raises questions about its grip locally, especially as frustration grows over rising council tax and service cuts.

Area Forum Wednesday 12 th March Chiswick Town Hall: Housing and Public Health

Our Area Forum begins at 6:30pm with an Informal Networking Event which includes include marketplace style stalls, where residents can speak with Council officers about individual issues, meet and speak to their specific ward Councillors and hear about local community groups and initiatives.

One important item on the agenda is a report on a consultation to expand regulation to cover all Houses in multiple occupation. Your home is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) if at least 3 tenants live there, forming more than 1 household and you share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants. Currently, 40% of HMOs operate without proper oversight, leading to unsafe housing, fly-tipping, and noise complaints. Conservative councillors have long pushed for stricter landlord accountability to protect tenants and communities from exploitative housing practices. This licensing expansion is an opportunity to get tough on bad landlords and restore quality housing for Hounslow residents. We encourage landlords and residents to support this proposal before the 16 May deadline, ensuring that housing standards improve for all—not just those lucky enough to escape poor rental conditions.

Another important item concerns health and wellbeing. New data on Chiswick paints a concerning picture of local disparities, with crime rates higher than the borough average and pollution levels above those in the wider Hounslow area. Despite fewer households lacking heating and lower levels of overcrowding than the borough average, Chiswick residents are facing significant public health issues, particularly among older adults. The data shows that 44.9% of residents over 65 suffer from hypertension, with a high prevalence of cancer, diabetes, and anxiety. Among working-age adults, anxiety, smoking, and depression rank as the top health concerns. Chiswick also has a higher crime rate than Hounslow overall, with 102.7 incidents per 1,000 people, compared to 86 per 1,000 borough wide. This raises concerns over public safety and policing levels, particularly as residents and councillors have consistently called for improved streetlighting and better community security. Adding to the challenges, air pollution levels are worse in Chiswick than in the rest of Hounslow, with higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This raises serious concerns about the impact on respiratory health, particularly among children and the elderly. Chiswick deserves better investment in local healthcare, crime prevention, and environmental improvements. With rising council tax and service cuts, Conservative voices in Hounslow will continue to push for real action rather than more wasteful spending and broken pledges.

Slide from the presentation to the Chiswick Area Forum

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025

Council Meetings - Borough Council

Tuesday25 March - Final Meeting of Council Year

There is public access for these meetings via a direct lift from the ground floor to the Council Meeting Room

6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Council Meetings – Overview and Scrutiny Committee

6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB

Council Meetings – Planning

Thursday, 13 February: Planning committee

Important Current Local Issues During weekends, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:

To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).

Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery). 

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS

Chiswick Gunnersbury ward

Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446

Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956

Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887

Chiswick Homefields ward

Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017

Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821

Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651

Chiswick Riverside ward

Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823

Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810

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