‘Councillors in Hounslow are insufficently engaged, leading to disunity and disconnect’

At the heart of Liberal Democrat principles is the notion of community politics – this is about championing the needs of aspirations of local communities by involving and encouraging active participation in the decision-making process and by bringing power closer to people and their communities.

For us Liberal Democrats community politics is about bringing people and organisations together – it is a rejection of the politics of populism and division.

Whether it is in Bedford Park or Bedfont, Chiswick or Cranford, Heston or Hounslow, Liberal Democrat council candidates are embedded in their communities and would be councillors who empower, rather than dictate to, their communities.

It is important to me, as a schoolteacher, that we also empower the younger generation to make decisions relating to their own communities.

Inevitably, civic life tends to be dominated by those who are retired, and have time to give back to their communities, and that is a wonderful aspect of Chiswick life, but too often this means the aspirations of the next generation are overlooked.

I do not think it unreasonable to suggest that the Labour administration in Hounslow over the last four years has not been without its fair share of scandal and disunity.

Labour councillors have defected to other parties and groups; other Labour councillors have been suspended for misconduct perhaps the most notorious involving a councillor’s Lamborghini parked in a disabled parking bay.

Look across the river to Liberal Democrat run Richmond – 49 Liberal Democrats and 5 Green Party councillors. Between them not a single defection or scandal over the last four years.

There is a simple reason for this: it is not that they are more virtuous than Hounslow politicians – no, it is something somewhat dull but important: the committee system, which the Liberal Democrats reintroduced in Richmond on taking power eight years ago in 2018.

Too many councils, such as Hounslow, have instituted a leader and cabinet model of governance. The leader is elected by full council and the leader then appoints a cabinet.

Whilst there is some transparency in decision making, inevitably many decisions get made behind closed doors and scrutiny is minimal.

Councillors, particularly those excluded from the cabinet, are insufficiently engaged in the decision-making process and in Hounslow this has led to disunity and a disconnect with the residents councillors are elected to represent.

A committee system would ensure the council is divided into politically balanced committees, for example the environment or adult social care, that make decisions.

Interested outside bodies and residents would be invited to collaborate and contribute to the decision-making process.

Dedicated committees allow councillors to focus on specific service areas and develop expertise.

For far too long, Liberal Democrats have been absent from Hounslow politics.

By championing communities and inclusive governance, we are the antidote to the extremism, of both the right and left, which is scarring our politics and dividing our communities.