Lime Bikes, the Rise of Reform and Candidate Selection

Chiswick Gunnersbury councillor Ron Mushiso reports back

Cllr

June 24, 2025

Being a Councillor Is a Serious Responsibility

Residents across Chiswick are facing real and tangible challenges—from the deteriorating state of our streets and services, to the rising costs of living and the creeping bureaucracy of a Council that has made its presence felt by impositions towards law-abiding tax-paying residents. And yet the Council feels ever more distant to the people it claims to serve due mainly to its sheer incompetence. I’ve written about these issues for as long as I’ve had the privilege of contributing here on ChiswickW4.com.

I will continue to call out this awful Labour administration and hold them to account. My interactions with residents on the door steps, the pubs, and the High Road and in meetings, formal or informal, has empowered my determination to drive change. And if there’s one thing readers will know by now, it’s that I don’t back down easily. I’m pragmatic when I need to be—but I can be stubborn too when it counts. These traits come from my lived experience. When you’ve started life with nothing—not even a pair of shoes—you appreciate the true value of living in an environment where opportunities are being created in every direction.

When communities thrive, so does everything else. An abundance of care, support, and solidarity that naturally follows. It’s generosity as community is born not from wealth, but from a shared purpose. As Proverbs 3:10 reminds us, “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” That is the spirit I see in Chiswick—the spirit that defies the dysfunction of this Labour-led Council.

To its credit Chiswick has remained a stronghold against Labour’s mismanagement of public money. Even in opposition, its Conservative councillors here deliver more than the entire Labour cohort of 50-plus councillors combined. As Shakespeare wrote in Henry V, “We few, we happy few...” It seems that even when outnumbered—we outperform our political opponents. Just imagine if the gap in between Labour councillors and Conservative Councillor were a bit closer.

Alas, the reality we face each week is the battle against bureaucracy and interference in people’s daily lives. Labour seeks control through taxation, restrictions, and penalties. More fines. More surveillance. More parking attendants punishing drivers for having one tyre over the edge of a parking bay. Worse still, fines sent to a guest’s address—someone who simply made a wrong turn on an unfamiliar road.

Lime Bikes

Across the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward, there are more dumped Lime bikes cluttering our pavements and blocking access for wheelchairs and prams than ever before.

We’ve been calling on the Council to follow Transport for London’s example by enforcing dockless e-bike regulations. TfL has already fined operators like Lime and Forest over 330 times for blocking red routes—using CCTV and new enforcement policies. It shows what can be achieved when a transport authority has the political will.

Many of you will know that I love cycling, and I occasionally use Lime bikes myself—they’re convenient and eco-friendly—but the current system is failing. These bikes are often dumped in front of homes, across crossings, or in shop entrances. It’s not safe, and it’s not fair on residents.

If we were in charge, we would:

• Enforce e-bike parking rules borough-wide;
• Fine repeat-offending operators;
• Introduce no-parking zones near schools, stations, and narrow pavements;
• Collaborate with TfL to ensure joined-up enforcement across all roads.

This isn’t about banning bikes—it’s about making the system work for everyone. Responsible users should welcome rules that stop our streets turning into obstacle courses.

Reform

Beyond bikes on pavements, we must also look at the changing political winds. The Reform Party recently broke through in Kent, Derbyshire, and Durham, promising simple fixes to complex issues. But we’ve seen this before: a fresh face, a catchy slogan—and then silence. Governance isn’t a TikTok trend (though I do dabble in the odd video myself). It’s work that carries the weight of responsibility. It’s about scrutinising the work of the Council and managing public finances.

In other words, local leadership is not a stunt. It is a duty and a privilege that requires competence—not just campaign slogans or viral soundbites.

The rise of Reform-style candidates winning power off a single slogan is worrying. But once elected, they flounder. The job is bigger than they thought. And when the photo ops are over, residents are left with absentee councillors who can’t navigate the system—let alone reform it. If you’ll pardon the pun.

Labour

Labour continues to reward failure by granting their contractor, Coalo, a five-year extension with no competitive tender. As Opposition Leader Cllr Peter Thompson rightly said on this site earlier this week: “This is a Council spinning out of control.” And it’s residents who pay the price.

Take the most recent Planning Committee meetings I’ve attended. I’ve seen residents make passionate cases for or against an application—only to be ignored. No questions. No scrutiny. No probing. Decisions affecting people’s lives and homes are waved through with barely a murmur from the majority of committee members.

This is not what Chiswick deserves. And it’s not what Hounslow deserves either.

Conservatives

The contrast with the Conservative approach couldn’t be clearer. As we enter the selection period for the next cohort of candidates, I’m proud to say our process remains local—driven by our members. Once selected, candidates receive training and support from Central Office, the Conservative Councillors’ Association , and sitting councillors.

When elected, our councillors are expected to hit the ground running—asking the tough but constructive questions and engaging with the very residents who voted them in. For us, accountability isn’t a buzzword—it’s the foundation of everything we stand for.

For me, Chiswick isn’t just a political postcode. It’s a community I am honoured to represent. Though I may no longer live in Chiswick—teacher salaries don’t stretch far here—I remain a Chiswick advocate. Chiswick has embraced me as one of its own. Just as I was embraced many years ago as a foster child by my foster mother, Charita Jones, when we lived in Chiswick Village.

Over the last seven years, Chiswick has become my foster home once again. That’s why I will continue to fight—with its best interests at heart.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council at Hounslow House which is fully accessible. Most meetings take place on the 6th floor of Hounslow House which is at 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.

Council Meetings

• Tuesday 22 July  7:30 pm - Borough Council
• Tuesday 16 September 7.30pm - Borough Council

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 – Audit and Governance Committee

• Tuesday 15 July 7.00pm
• Tuesday 4 November  7:00 pm

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

Chiswick Area Forum

• Wednesday 2 July 7.30pm - St. Paul's Church, Grove Park
• Monday 13 October 7.30pm - Hogarth Hall, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham, W4 4JN

Both meetings are open from 6.30pm allowing residents to meet officers of Hounslow Council in Adult and Child care Social Welfare, Education, Housing and Services

Important Current Local Issues

During weekends and regular Public Holidays, 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 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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