Forum Topic

Hounslow's Labour Group in Private Eye - yet again

What a bunch of pathetic, nasty people make up the majority Labour group of Hounslow Council. It appears that some of them have got the hump about reports on their individual performance, apparently "telling the truth about Labour councillors performance is an 'uncomradely' act". These figures appeared in the Chronicle in August 2016, so of course not wanting the electorate to know what they were, or weren't doing, there had to be a scapegoat. They have decided that Cllr. Gurpal Viridi is the guilty party on the basis of no evidence whatsoever, the chief whip - Shantanu Rajawat (who he?) who completed 13 cases in 2015-16 as opposed to Cllr. Virdi's 233, organised what the 'Eye' calls a 'kangaroo court'.This is the bit that is breathtaking in its gall, Cllr. Virdi was found guilty of "leaking potentially damaging documents to the media" and "having brought [the] Labour Group into disrepute".What? The appalling saga of Cllr. Curran's utterly reprehensible behaviour over the wheelie bin saga last year didn't do that? Cllr. Virdi it is noted has been a thorn in the side of the leadership for exposing attempts to corrupt the planning system among other things.How spiteful can you be? Cllr. Virdi cannot now stand in future elections for the party Labour and has been suspended from the party.They don't deserve him, God forbid anyone should try and shine a light in some murky council corners.

Vanessa Smith ● 3106d52 Comments

I thought i would ask though Phil..lol

Simon Anderson ● 3087d

Good luck with that.

Phil Andrews ● 3088d

just want to thank everyone for the huge support i have been offered over this. i have even had residents offering to do a petition. i just want everyone to know that this is not the end of this we are still fighting this. I am asking my other 2 local Councillors if they will support the bench being placed on the estate?

Simon Anderson ● 3088d

Just in case you are not on Facebook this is the posting that Phil Andrews mentioned on the Ivybridge Group. She has now left the group.Kelly Males Why are you so obsessed with Cllr Sampson? You were the one who went out and got the bench, you never consulted the residents who's Windows and properties it would affect or whose Windows it would be placed under or the family of the murdered boy. Coz people complained to the council and it got stopped you have to blame others. I wouldnt want a bench outside my window either , I see your putting it nowhere near where you live either so why subject others to it. One bench in the area next to Sahils block has been the Bain of people's lives for years with all the kids congregating into the early hours drug dealing. The residents had to fight to get that area closed , which it was finally through Cllrs Sampson intervention, and there you wanting to add another bench. Put it outside your window see how soon it takes before you get fed up. I make Cllr Sampson right in putting a stop to it , if she did that is coz I wouldn't want any bench outside my window that's for sure.Like · Reply · 19 February at 20:41

Simon Anderson ● 3095d

Is that the property that did not go threw Locata?

Simon Anderson ● 3095d

Actually she lives on the Worple estate, in a very nice council house which was much sought after by a whole lot of applicants but which was allocated to her by special authority outside of the usual channels.  But you are right to say she doesn't live on Ivybridge.

Phil Andrews ● 3096d

Phil, the info she gave about the estate was all wrong (like she has never been on this estate or know about this estate) and it was full of lies, inc saying Sue did something on this estate which IVYTAG and the Housing officer did. So still taking credit for others works.. She lives in Brentford. Its funny because she said the same as Cllr Sampson told the family which is VERY strange.

Simon Anderson ● 3096d

I notice that on the Ivybridge Facebook page there is a lengthy contribution from one Kelly Males, who not only defends Councillor Sampson's actions aggressively but also gives an impression of having intimate knowledge of the history of the whole affair.Do we know this person and is she a resident of Ivybridge?

Phil Andrews ● 3096d

Just had an interesting call from a ex member of the Labour party. They said they had been a member of the party since the 60's but are so disgusted over the way the local group conduct themselves, in particular 1 person they said they will never vote Labour again. They said they had sympathy over the Bench issue and said it was pure nasty and there are people in the Labour group whom agree. They told me not to give up this fight because this local Councillor is in the wrong to get involved and block this from happening as its unfair to local people whom paid for it. They even said i should contact the Local London New's programs as they love story's like this. They finished by saying this will do no good for their election hopes next year and if they were her they would revise their decision and give the council the green light to have the bench fitted.

Simon Anderson ● 3096d

Phil, the family have the right to not want to get involved but i feel this decision has been brought on by this Cllr childish and nasty attitude. They were really looking forward to having this bench on the estate. Like i stated before non of this would be happening if it wasn't for the nastiness of a local Councillor whom is the only one objecting to it. If someone else raised the money for this bench then the bench would off been fitted by now but because it was me and my group is the only reason she has stopped it. So its ok for her to donate a rose tree to the estate in honor of Sahil but its not ok for a bench to be donated to the estate which was paid for by residents of the estate to hon our their friend?

Simon Anderson ● 3097d

John has made a good suggestion Simon, the only thing I can see wrong with it is that it would be hard to achieve without the family becoming involved.  My reading of the situation is that they would not want that, therefore it would be difficult to get off the ground.It is not wrong though to say that these people need to be shamed.  And I speak in the plural advisedly, because there is no point in complaining about the obvious shortcomings in one elected member's attitude when those around her are quite obviously happy to repeatedly connive in, defend, encourage and even reward this behaviour.As John rightly suggests, it is indicative of a serious malaise which infests the whole group.

Phil Andrews ● 3097d

John, i think you might of missed the point. The Council told me i could do this in October 2016. In November 2016 the council agreed to position it in the spot of our choice. I was told to contact the council contact when i had the bench. I contacted him when i got the bench to get a date but Cllr Sampson stopped it and the council has said their hands are tied unless Cllr Sampson calls them to say its ok now. The family was going to come over for their photo with the bench. I contacted the Chronicle in November about this 3 times with no reply. John the bench is fully assembled in our garage with the plaque fitted and i cant get it fitted on the estate unless Cllr Sampson say's so but she has made it clear it will be over her dead body. The bench will just have to sit in the garage.

Simon Anderson ● 3097d

Great idea but which 'press' do you suggest?

Keith Iddon ● 3097d

A suggestion, Simon. Arrange a date when the bench is to be placed on the estate. Invite the family to attend. Mobilise residents to turn out on the day and make sure the press (with photographer) are present. If you tell them the full story you might find interest in a Labour anti-community story extends well beyond Hounslow.It would be interesting to see if the said councillor attempts to mobilise the housing department against the event or arranges the vandalisation of the memorial bench after the event.No wonder Labour are f***ed with people like her in their ranks!

John Connelly ● 3097d

Not the 1st time she has stopped us doing things on this estate which benefits the estate..How can you say "Its not personal"

Simon Anderson ● 3097d

I totally agree Vanessa..This was the timetableSeptember 2016 - The Area Manager for the Central Area Team (based at the Langdale) asked both my group and the other group fore idea's on area's of the estate that needed improvements.We asked residents and suggestions were the dog park, Bin Corrals, Bike Racks and Benches in 3 area's. We relayed that on to the Area Manager.October 2016 - Attended a meeting at the Langdale with the chair of the other group with the Central Area team, Cllr Green. The Benches were raised and the Central Area Manager gave us the green light and said we could do it.Then i went to visit Sahil's Mum, i told her what we wanted to do for Sahil and she was very overwhelmed and happy and could not believe we wanted to do this.Early November Started fundraising, 2 members of my group did a 10 mile walk, we sold donated items at a Table Top sale, stood for 2 days in a very drafty and cold door way of Hounslow Asda and collected money from many residents and Tesco gave money.Did a walk about the estate with several council bosses and chair of the other group. Showed them where we wanted the bench to sit. They agreed to fit it for us with some pathing slabs and ma=ke it look really nice.Herd what Cllr Sampson stated at Isleworth Remembrance Sunday event. Went to see Sahil's mum asked if she prefer we used the money to buy a rose Tree, was told Sue offered to get a rose tree but the family was very happy for us to continue to get the bench and said they thought what Sue and we were doing was fantastic and said we were nice to do this. We told her we had the money now and would buy the Bench after Xmas.January 2017 - Visited Mrs Roy, she choose the colour and told me what to put on the plaque. I ordered the Bench. Bench arrived Fully assembled with the Plaque on it, placed it in our garage.Emailed council contact to arrange it to be fitted, called next day to say Cllr Sampson had told them the family never wanted a bench they wanted a Rose bush so the bench could not go on the estate.Spoke to leading member of the Labour group who said they would try sort this out and stated Local Councillors should be seen to be working with residents and resident groups and should be sorting this sort of thing as its improving the area. Told me they would call me over the weekend. Did not get a call so emailed them twice and had no reply.Spoke to the family, told them the bench was here but i could not have it put on the estate. Was told they were informed by Cllr Sampson that a resident emailed her objecting to having a bench under their window (even though no resident knew its location)They said that appreciated what Cllr Sampson and we have done but did not want to be involved in this and i agreed i would keep them out off it but i am going to fight this as i believe its wrong to stop this when everyone was in agreement (the council etc etc) and this was just personal and its not just this bench she is stopping but the others we were planning to get for other residents who are no longer with us. That i feel if it wasn't for 1 persons interference and hatred of me and my group then the bench would off been fitted. The Bench idea was a project not about 1 bench, residents suggested 3 areas they would like to see a bench or 2 in so they could use. I put this forward but suggested they be memorial benches and the council agreed and gave permission. Its about what the residents wanted and isn't it down to a Local Councillor to support residents and if the council agree then isn't it down to the local Councillor to support it if its what the residents asked for?Just to finish, the Bench has been paid for, its arrived and in a garage. It can't be returned so what do this Cllr Expect me to do with it.

Simon Anderson ● 3098d

"I will not write further on this: not my patch and I don't know it very well. Just trying to help as I was asked."Hope that's a lesson learned then.Does anyone seriously think for one minute that someone would go off and fundraise and purchase something with an agreed dedication on it if they hadn't first spoken to the relevant people and the family concerned?? You're right about the history, and one would hope that an elected representative could rise above such petty goal scoring, apparently not, not to mention causing more upset for a grieving family.

Vanessa Smith ● 3098d

BTW what about the stress of those who worked hard to raise the money for the bench? What about the stress of all those residents whom gave money to this?  Can i ask you Guy or maybe Sue can answer this... What should we do with this bench with Sahils name on it, should we dump it????

Simon Anderson ● 3098d

I have not involved the family, i told the family i would keep them out of it but i was going to appeal Cllr Sampson objection to this. Will she refund us the £260 that residents gave towards the bench?  This is not about the family, this is about all those who gave money for the bench and a Cllr who is blocking it on the grounds she doesn't like me or my group and this is not the 1st time she has stopped us doing good for our estate. If this was someone else who raised the money for the bench and there was a Photo opp for her she be all over it. This is just spiteful. Bringing the family into this is very low.

Simon Anderson ● 3098d

There is obviously some history here which I am not party to. Police frequently ask for benches to be removed in Brentford - maybe not in Isleworth, I don't know.I was asked to get a view and I got one. No lies involved, nor do I wish to take sides.The family is appreciative of both the council(lor)'s response and that of the community and they don't want to be involved in this dispute (they have written to say that) which just causes them stress.I will not write further on this: not my patch and I don't know it very well. Just trying to help as I was asked.

Guy Lambert ● 3098d

Phil you are so right, the area the bench was approved to be placed in (as you know very well) is the largest open area on the estate. Its surrounded by Street Lighting and CCTV. Also the concierge office window over looks this area. You couldn't have so much security in this area and these Councillors say it would invite drug dealers....Not to mention on the opposite side of the small fence the bench was to sit against there are benches and the only people they invite are parents watching their kids play. So a bench by this fence would make no difference at all, when there is already seating there which has never invited dealers to sit on....When the 2 benches were at the back of the Bridgelink center (where its dark and no cctv) youth used to go around and sit on them at night, do drugs and deal. Are group got the council to move them to around the front of the center (last year) and now the only people who use them are Parents watching their children play or residents who sit and chat to each other.

Simon Anderson ● 3099d

Firstly what a load of Garbage you have written Guy. Back in September myself and the Chair of the URAI were contacted by the council to say there were a Estate Improvements and Enhancements project taking place on Ivybridge (which Sue is part off) and they recommended that we be both part of that group involved (funny we haven't herd from the group or had any contact from them, must be because someone don't want us to be part of it) We put some ideas forward for improvements on the estate which went on the list dated 1st November which inc Benches for some area's of the estate which was emailed to all concerned, inc Cllr Sampson. (Funny how shortly after that list was sent out Cllr Sampson told 2 residents over her dead body will i get benches for the estate)Now though i agree the family did not request the bench, i went and asked the family in October after the council gave us permission they were very happy for us to do this in honor of Sahil.Secondly you state we could give the money to the apple tree's, urrm the bench was purchased and it sits in our garage fully assembled with a plaque on it for Sahil. This was only stopped the day after Sue knew the bench had arrived. The Bench can not be returned are you saying we should dump it and throw away the £260 that residents gave for it?You say the police objected, i have had no objections from the police about this bench and if it is bad as you say why did the council give us permission to do it?Are you saying that the police don't want benches on the estate? If so when will the council be removing the many benches that are already on this estate??Several years back the council and local Councillors agreed a Memorial bench to be placed in the same park for Mr and Mrs Reeder. Also the council and local councilors agreed a memory bench to be placed outside the Bridgelink Center....So tell me why this bench can't be placed..i tell you why because it was me and my group whom collected the money for it, because everything we try and do for this estate gets blocked by 1 Councillors hate towards us.The Apple tree (which we understand is a Rose Tree), well thats already arrived and placed outside the flat in the hatched off area of the car park.You say the bench will invite unwanted visitors, what a load of rubbish. I have lived on this estate 20yrs and if the people you are talking about want to hang around and do drugs they don't do it in a big open area like where the bench was to go, they hang around inside the blocks or in communal gardens (sat on the benches in them) where there are no camera's or lights. I just feel you would support your fellow Councillor and write a load of dribble. This has nothing to do with a Bench this is personal. The family might of not requested this bench but those residents on the estate whom knew Sahil did and they won't forget this. So Tell Me what do i do with the bench???????  Its pathetic when you have around 30 benches on this estate and you say no to a memorial bench because it will attract the wrong people, what about the benches already on the estate that don't attract the wrong people are you going to have them removed cant be 1 rule for 1 bench and another for the other 30??You say i should drop this, yes that would suit the person whom stopped this, who wants this to go away but sorry i feel this is personal and blocking this bench is wrong and those residents who paid for it should be allowed to remember their friend and the bench should be allowed to be fitted as planned so no i wont drop this.

Simon Anderson ● 3099d

Not quite sure why the councillor in question is in need of a spokesman, bearing in mind that Guy has only heard her version. Dog in the manger.a person who has no need of, or ability to use, a possession that would be of use or value to others, but who prevents others from having it."what a dog in the manger you must be!"

Vanessa Smith ● 3099d

In my experience drug dealers tend to operate from cars (often with tinted windscreens) rather than from benches which are usually overlooked by street lighting and can even be "bugged" if police suspect serious criminal activity is taking place.The reasons given by you (and possibly to you) for Sue's actions do not tally with comments she has made to others, which have focussed on her personal dislike of Simon and the residents' group of which he is a prominent member.  This is consistent with patterns of behaviour which have occurred over many years, and which have given rise to much unnecessary conflict between council and community in the past.It was my honest and sincere hope that the withdrawal of any "political" opposition from the arena might have created the space for a more relaxed and community-friendly approach to be taken by our elected representatives, which would be to the benefit of everybody.  It would seem to me that old mindsets are difficult to break.

Phil Andrews ● 3099d

Many thanks for asking Guy and posting such an informative responseI don t agree though with the assumption that benches cause anti social behaviour and have never heard that is or was on the Ivybridge but obviously the Police would know for sure and if they have objected then they would have genuine reason to do so

Paul Fisher ● 3099d

Since you asked, Paul.I did speak to Sue Sampson (she is the one being accused here).I believe you were formerly a councillor so you will know that benches are a mixed blessing: not only do they provide a pleasant resting place for the elderly they also tend to provide a 24/7 meeting place for those who run informal businesses involving illegal substances (which is why the police are always trying to get them removed). I believe one in the estate was described in the Old Bailey trial as  'the one-stop shop'.The family are grateful that a collection has been organised by Simon.They asked councillors for the hatch area to be blocked out, which Sue has organised. They also asked for some apple trees to be planted, which Sue will organise at the right time for planting. They did not request a bench.They are very grateful for what has been done by both the council and the community and don’t want to be the cause of any conflict so it might be best to find another way of using the money collected. Perhaps it could be used to pay for some fruit trees?

Guy Lambert ● 3099d

See the council are really going to get rid of the Lollipop school crossing people - BBC lunchtime news. If they were going to save oodles of money you might perhaps understand why. But this is drop in the ocean - then they come out with the stroke that schools should consider paying for this service, haven't they heard about the appalling cuts to school budgets? The years of boasting about keeping council tax down are really coming home to roost now. No-one can do more with less, 'efficiencies' are cuts and instead of services being paid for from the council tax we are now being expected to pay separately for them - madness. It can't be long before our caring council decide that people should be euthanized when they reach a certain age to save them money, nothing would surprise me with this lot.

Vanessa Smith ● 3100d

Can never have enough bench seats dotted around. X

Sarah Felstead ● 3100d

Hi Paul, i will consider contacting the new channels and TW8.com about this.The excuse was the family didn't want it which was lies then it was because a tenant didn't want it under their window which again is lies as no one on here knew where it was going and secondly it was no where near anyone's window it was being fitted in the middle of a park on the pathway. Being placed there would benefit so many people, parents can sit on it to watch their kids play as they can't sit on the grass as residents take their dogs on the grass. It would also benefit the elder resident who are back and forth to Tesco they will have somewhere to rest a bit. If there was an issue from a resident about its location (which we no there wasn't) then why did this Councillor not ask us to choose another location on the estate why block it completely?

Simon Anderson ● 3100d

Simon, have you considered highlighting this to the local paper or indeed this website so they can publish the whole story?I would have thought that even the BBC or ITV would be interested in doing a story on their London news show as wellPerhaps Cllr Lambert could ask his colleague what the exact reason is why this bench cannot be placed on the Ivybridge Estate and let Simon and the rest of us know?

Paul Fisher ● 3101d

Shameful.

Phil Andrews ● 3101d

What i feel so sad about is that this bench is not about me, my group or a political group or person this is about a young man whom was loved on the estate and taken away to earlier, paid for by residents and local people. They are not just being nasty to me but all those who made donations to it. Its so sad that we now have a fully assembled memorial bench with a plaque with a full inscription to this young man just sat in a dark, damp garage..all because of 1 person's hatred towards me and my group.

Simon Anderson ● 3101d

So sad that from a political point-of-view, those they are purporting to represent are actually being steamrollered to enable capital gain (especially in property development) for those they say they oppose. Strange old world these days. We witness what is happening across the Pond. Some of our leaders must be  watching in admiration.

Nick Kilby ● 3101d

I cannot for the life of me understand why these people still seem to feel threatened by residents who organise to try to improve the lives of those around them.  There is no longer a political "threat" to them from the community and yet still they feel the need behave in this way (surely vindicating those of us who did once organise against them?).I have never encountered, in any other walk of life, a manifestation of institutional insecurity and paranoia on anything like this scale.  In my opinion some of the individuals who are at the centre of these things have real issues, and shame on their colleagues - and they know who they are - for turning a blind eye to their behaviour in the name of political expediency.

Phil Andrews ● 3101d

Totally agree and even if you didn't vote for them they are supposed to work and represent everyone in their constituency. But some hold grudges and refuse to work or help you and if you are part of a residents group and there are many members they have had issues with in the past forget their help or support with anything.

Simon Anderson ● 3101d

We certainly do - but looks like a lot of them have forgotten that!

Vanessa Smith ● 3101d

Its us who elect the Councillors, isn't it?

Alex Shpinkov ● 3101d

Have p.m.d you.

Vanessa Smith ● 3102d

Would that be the chief whip of the main labour group or for the local labour group same question about the leader

Simon Anderson ● 3102d

You have several options I would think - the Chief Executive Mary Harpley, the Chief Whip to the Labour Group and/or The Leader. Or indeed all three.

Vanessa Smith ● 3102d

Vanessa whom do i make the complaint too?

Simon Anderson ● 3102d

Te, he, he!!

Vanessa Smith ● 3102d

Maybe you should have included her name on it in some way?  That seems to work for war memorials and suchlike.

Phil Andrews ● 3102d

Simon, I don't think you have to be put in the position where you have to plead your case, councillors are there to support and represent the local community. If this moron is behaving like a petty dictator then take it further and make an official complaint about their conduct.

Vanessa Smith ● 3102d

BTW they told the council a very different story to the one they told the family. They should put personal feelings aside and allow this bench for such a nice, friendly young man who was tragically taken away from us all to be placed on the estate. I am now talking straight to this Cllr Please i no u dislike me and other members of the residents groups but this is not for us this is for his family and friends please allow this lovely bench to be placed on the estate PLEASE...

Simon Anderson ● 3102d

Vanessa the Cllr told the family that they got a complaint from a resident because they did not want the bench under their window as it would attract Riff Raff...Funny that because no one apart from me and the council knew where it was being placed. The place was in the middle of a park, it was not going under anyone's window. Also in this park there is a fenced off play area with benches that anyone could hang around and sit on but only parents watching their kids sit there. As i stated there are other areas it could go but they won't allow it to happen. Your right this bench is in memory of a friend and loved one. Some years ago a memorial bench was placed in the same park, no one complained it was there. Also the reason i come up with the bench idea was several residents suggested 3 area's they said needed benches inc the area the bench was going. The council are very happy to put it there but the only thing its not happening is because of a Local Cllr who dislikes me and most of the members of both residents groups on this estate.

Simon Anderson ● 3102d

It is more than 'horrible' - it is scandalous and spiteful.Instead of putting their own views first, this councillor should consider the family involved, how petty and tiny minded this is. Where does one person come off dictating to council employees and preventing the installation of something intended as a memorial contributed to by local people? I hate to tell them this but councillors should be able to understand that they are there to represent the community NOT to impose their will on it. Utterly contemptible.

Vanessa Smith ● 3102d

It is horrible when a local Councillor whom is paid to represent everyone in their constituency but will not represent or work with those they don.t like or those whom don't vote 4 them. A Councillor who blocks a resident group from trying to help their estate by blocking the council from placing a Memorial Bench on the estate all because they dislike the person/group whom raised the money for a bench which is now sat in our Garage. Someone who said to 2 Residents over their dead body will that bench go on the estate even though the council gave us their permission. The bench was paid for by resident whom knew the person the bench is for, local people and businesses.

Simon Anderson ● 3103d

Strikes me - and I don't know Cllr. Virdi - that this is a man who isn't frightened to put his head over the parapet if he feels strongly about an issue, and more power to him and people like him. Bullying IS rife at Hounslow, as for hypocrisy that's rampant. How anyone has the sheer gall to accuse this man of 'bringing the Labour party into disrepute' after some of their antics is breathtaking. That these idiots are alienating their natural and reliable voters hasn't quite penetrated yet, they seem to think they are invincible. A large majority is always a dangerous thing, and these people have fallen foul of believing in their own superiority. Scapegoating someone who is trying to find a way through the murky waters is not the answer, if you keep sweeping these things under the carpet inevitably it will trip you up at some point.

Vanessa Smith ● 3103d

Is it that the opposition is just as bad?

Raymond Havelock ● 3103d

I see this has now made the front page of this site.  Sadly this is what inevitably happens when there is no opposition holding those in power to account.

Phil Andrews ● 3103d

Seems like LBH could do with a dozen Cllr Virdis !How this group and it's cronies get away with such secret and clandestine methods is bad enough.But how those  in the fold who are not part of this form of corruption and yet privy to all this but in total denial and somehow to afraid to expose this carry on is as reprehensible.But it runs really deep and really wide and has done for far, far too long.This is why good capable people avoid party politics and only the bullies get to the top. Both elected and unelected. Talent, ability and honour are all kept down below.Can't see that ever changing here.

Raymond Havelock ● 3106d