Punching Above Our Weight at Hounslow Council

Chiswick Riverside councillor Peter Thompson reports back

Cllr Peter Thompson

September 20, 2025

One question I’m often asked is: what difference can opposition councillors make when Labour has such a large majority in Hounslow? The honest answer is that we get used to losing votes – the arithmetic is against us. But that doesn’t mean we don’t matter. Our role is to hold the administration to account, highlight residents’ concerns, and press for practical improvements. A fair-minded observer would, I think, agree that we consistently punch well above our weight.

This week’s Borough Council meeting at Hounslow House ran until nearly 11 pm, which, depending on your outlook, was either a sign of dedication or a breach of the Geneva Convention.

NHS and GP Access

We proposed an amendment to Labour’s one-sided NHS motion. Of course we welcomed new investment, but we cannot pretend everything is fine.

Cllr Joanna Biddolph pressed the case for cutting waste in the NHS, underlining that efficiency is a form of patient care too. Residents here still wait weeks for GP appointments, months for hospital treatment, and in some cases, years for an NHS dentist. Bed blocking is worsened by delays in adult social care. And the Royal College of GPs has warned that without proper support, local surgeries will close.

Our amendments asked the Council to acknowledge these realities, to commit to independent evaluation of its pilots, and to call on Government for the funding and contracts needed to keep GP practices open. Labour rejected them and, in doing so, rejected the reality our residents face.

Equality and Fairness

On Labour’s “Fairer Hounslow” motion, we argued that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion resources must benefit the whole borough, not just a handful of “opportunity areas.”

Cllr Gabriella Giles highlighted the Council’s own past failings, such as the long-standing omission of Latin Americans from EDI forms and data, undermining its claim to inclusion. Cllr Allan Joseph made the case for true equity in all communities, so residents in Chiswick, Isleworth, Bedfont and Feltham are not left behind. And Cllr Ron Mushiso pointed to achievements of the last government, such as the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (CRED) report that put evidence ahead of slogans, and the decision to retire the catch-all label “BAME.” 

At one stage a Labour Councillor argued that we can’t possibly understand inequality because we have a Waitrose in Chiswick! Yes, we do have a Waitrose. We also have food banks, overcrowded GP surgeries and families struggling with housing. Pretending one cancels out the other isn’t serious politics.  Again, our constructive proposals were voted down.

Rhetoric Over Reality

Sadly, much time was wasted on anti-Conservative rhetoric. We heard references to Enoch Powell, Section 28, and even claims that the “forces of Conservatism” have been undermining equality since Attlee’s Labour Government!

My fellow Chiswick resident, Cllr John Stroud Turp, Labour councillor for Isleworth, even reached back to a Keith Joseph quote but misrepresented it. Joseph’s actual words in 1976 were clear: equality of opportunity is worth pursuing; equality of outcome is divisive and destructive. That remains true today.

State of the Borough

In my speech on the State of the Borough report, I highlighted the gulf between Labour’s rhetoric and reality.

• Wages: glossy charts disguise the fact that earnings here are closer to the England average than the London average – families are not sharing in London’s prosperity.
• Housing: £1,500 in rent for a one-bed flat isn’t “liveable” – it’s crushing.
• Safety: domestic violence rates remain far too high.
• Environment: fly-tipping blights our streets and recycling rates are among the worst in London, despite Labour’s boasts of “green leadership.” 

I led the debate on child sexual exploitation, highlighting a recent historic grooming case and calling for a cross-party initiative to root out exploitation and support victims. The Council Leader agreed to work with us – a welcome step that must now turn into action.

This is what I said:

“Child sexual exploitation is among the most serious crimes our society faces, destroying lives and trust in our communities. Last year, there were alleged concerns about a grooming gang operating in Hounslow, reminding us how vital it is to remain vigilant. Will the Leader support the creation of a new cross-party initiative to bring councillors, the police, schools and community groups together to prevent such

exploitation, act swiftly when warning signs appear, and ensure lasting support for victims and families? What steps will the administration take to work with all parties on a clear plan to protect every child and vulnerable young person in our borough?”

Finances and Young People

The Treasury Management Annual Report revealed gross borrowing climbing from £611m to £666m in a single year, a £3.9m capital loss on an investment and even a one-day breach of the Council’s own borrowing limit. The Housing Revenue Account overspent by £4.7m on external interest.

Cllrs John Todd and Gerald McGregor pressed hard on these points, demanding a credible savings plan to address the projected £90m funding gap by 2028/29 and an end to recycling taxpayers’ money through internal loans to failing arms-length companies such as the Lampton Group.

Meanwhile, Cllr Ron Mushiso spoke powerfully about the rise in youth crime and the lack of meaningful support and opportunities for young people, issues that must be addressed if we are serious about prevention as well as enforcement. His intervention underscored the need for stronger mentoring, policing and early help.

Conclusion

The meeting finally ended on a positive note, with agreement on Labour’s motion celebrating school achievements and taking action to reduce the cost of uniforms. I was delighted to add my voice to the praise for our wonderful A Level, GCSE and BTEC results this summer, especially as one of those students was my own daughter, who we packed off to university just last week.

That milestone means we now have children back in Hounslow schools for the first time since my eldest started nursery in 2007. (Yes, I had to do the maths on that one!)

I want to thank our schools, teachers and support staff for all they do for our young people. They deserve huge credit for the results we’ve seen. As a parent, I won’t miss parents’ evenings, summer fayres or the joys of supervising A Level revision at home. But of course, in my day job as a secondary school teacher, those pleasures continue just with other people’s children.

Final Thought

We may not win the votes, but we do win the arguments that matter to residents – on healthcare, housing, equality, safeguarding, the environment and financial responsibility. That’s the role of opposition councillors, and it’s one we’ll keep playing with energy, determination and the odd dash of humour! 

Cllr Peter Thompson 

peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk

07977 395810

DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Monday 13 October: Chiswick Area Forum - Normally at Hogarth Hall, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham, W4 4JN, but moveable around Chiswick (please check the website). 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

Council Meetings

Borough Council

• Tuesday 25 November  7:30pm - Including the first call on the Medium Term Financial Report for the Annual Budget 2025/26

Council Meetings – Audit and Governance Committee

• Tuesday 4 November 7:00 pm

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

Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Most meetings take place on the 6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, TW3 3EB. Hounslow House is fully accessible. The nearest tube is Hounslow Central which does not have step-free access. Parking in local roads is limited.

Emergencies

You can report emergencies outside office hours by ringing the council on: 020 8583 2222.

CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES

Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the seven 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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