This is a difficult time for an Opposition Party watching the final policy mistakes of an administration that so many residents have called out. A classic example of one hand not knowing what the other has done was the Voucher Scheme. The scheme was launched by Hounslow after it set a Council Tax which was raised so high by the Mayor of London and the local administration and was only matched by the height of their political cynicism. (The voucher scheme was of course paid for by taxpayers through a Government grant scheme, not mentioned by the local administration). Why was a reduction in council tax not thought of by the administration, something which the Conservative opposition presented in their alternative budget last March.
The opposition is not sitting still. We are dedicated to delivering better services, a stronger local retail environment, more contact and consultation. The authoritarian approach seems to be a characteristic of the current administration…not listening and to judge by the words of their Leader not caring much either
The residents of Chiswick expect commitment from their councillors and the Conservative campaign team which assembled over the weekend was there to launch an exciting, progressive and voter-friendly approach. The team was working hard in a combined and disciplined team effort to establish key elements of the forthcoming campaign which is all about Listening to Residents.
The campaign launch followed hard on the heels of more bad news for Hounslow Residents from the administration. The Conservative campaign will be marking the continued chaos that the administration is wading through; the administration appears to be really just plain tired out, so time for a change, new blood and new ideas that safeguard the interests of residents.
The lack of timely responses to requests for information is becoming embarrassing, the ongoing failure of building projects, the turmoil over the big Osterley development, the failure to reopen Hounslow House (The Town Hall) to the public and the continued fear of public debate are taking their toll on staff and officers without guidance and policy leadership from the administration.
Policy
The local Hounslow council administration has again been in the news following the further revelations about housing policy and the poor development planning which it has got itself enmeshed in. Part of its plans include the notorious streetspace policy which is now somewhat in disarray.
Your Conservative councillors have been following up on the success of the call in over traffic schemes to press for more dialogue and consultation and meanwhile the council has suspended schemes in other parts of Hounslow until after the next election (no doubt fearing the degree of public disquiet as already expressed in the eastern end of the Borough).
Brentford is now suffering alongside Chiswick from the effect of half-baked schemes and the lack of a proper stadium crowd movement plan at the new football ground. It will be Isleworth’s turn to suffer next. The failure of schemes across Chiswick has angered residents whose main complaint is that no one (including the Council Leader) appears to want to listen, irrespective of the disavowal of public consultation.
Voucher Scheme
The council is also trying hard to win votes through the voucher scheme. The scheme was government supported by taxpayer funded payments, but the local administration tried hard to pretend that it was a local scheme, obviously they are getting desperate to gain some credits as the election in May 2022 approaches.
Local Capacity Building
These issues of local economic activity and traffic and transport management will certainly be features of the campaign that the Conservative council candidates will be presenting to the electorate. Dedicated attention to council affairs and residents' concerns marks Business as Usual for your Conservative Councillors
Despite all this campaign planning in the background, your councillors were active and busy across the Borough
Several colleagues were able to be in attendance this week at the Conservative Party Conference talking to policy makers and Government Ministers. This is important as the listening role enables councillors to put forward the ideas that progress depends on, catching the tune of needs and requirements at local level that can help the Government Build Back Better.
More on this as the campaign progresses.
