Forum Topic

Time called on Balraj finally?

As he previously turned up just in time to avoid forfeiture, it looks likely that he has made a miscalculation on his calendar and will finally be ousted. That is of course, unless Labour say that the breach of the Act was de minimis if he turns up to the January council meeting or they offer him special dispensation. If they cared about residents of the ward they would be doing everything they possibly could to get him out.

Kenneth Seally ● 29d27 Comments

Agree.

Anne England ● 17d

To be honest there isn't anyone who comes out of this with a smidgen of integrity, you have to ask what the hell is going on?

Vanessa Smith ● 17d

Jim,This webpage on Hounslow website allows the contact details of all councillors to be found, including the missing councillor.  Of course, whether he responds is a different matter.https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx

Barry Jacques ● 17d

When Chiswick's Councillors get their Weekly Reports published on the Chiswickw4.com website (Front Page), a list of their Councillor colleagues and their contact details are added ... thus providing their residents with a link-line if they need help.In the case of BOTH Brentford Wards ...the ONLY REPORT published on this website, is the one produced by Cllr Guy Lambert. Never seemingly from the other half dozen.In addition, Guy's weekly reports never seem to attach a list of his Councillor colleagues or their contact details.In the case of the MISSING CLLR,if someone needed his help ...what chance have they got of receiving any.It's totally out of order ...and not a peep from those in the know.

Jim Lawes ● 17d

My comment was in response to Jim's comment.

Anne England ● 17d

There'll be a long wait - no mobile - no texting, and I'm no longer a member! What about a ward member(s) tabling a motion at their next meeting or contacting the Regional Officer?

Vanessa Smith ● 18d

Let us know when you have texted him.

Anne England ● 18d

Vanessa - as an ordinary member I do ask questions, perhaps to the wrong people. The silence from just about everybody is puzzling and more than slightly annoying.I would be grateful if somebody could answer my question above.

Anne England ● 18d

Where on earth are the ordinary party members who are the ones who go out trudging the streets to get these people elected? Why are they not raising this scandal at every opportunity at ward meetings and the constituency party? I just think the other councillors are a disgrace for not speaking out, this person is bringing them ALL into disrepute. No wonder politics  has got such a poor reputation, if they seriously imagine this is going away anytime soon then they are sadly mistaken. Has no-one got a spine? (Guy Lambert excepted) - what a lily livered shower they are.

Vanessa Smith ● 19d

It reminds me that Syon ward also had Jason Ellar as ward councillor previously. The thread https://appasp.brentfordtw8.com/server/app/forum/ShowMessage.asp?ID=984682 contains more details.

Tim Henderson ● 19d

Many thanks for your pertinent post Vanessa ...in particular suggesting there are some external family connections with the "Leader" in this farcical situation.No wonder Balraj's local colleagues are so tight lipped. The absence of any official explanation has the rest of us speculating.The Labour electorate of the Brentford and Syon Ward were treated with distain seemingly ... and not a peep heard from any of the them since.Balrag's phone number is on the Hounslow Council Website ... and so a enquiring text to him should result in some answers.07973 763 463PS: how come he was selected to be on the important "Scrutiny Committee". Who was the proposer  for that joke?

Jim Lawes ● 19d

How anybody's got the front of Balraj I don't know. His behaviour is shameful. I agree re the silence - it's pretty hopeless getting any kind of answer.My understanding of procedure is somewhat limited - am I right in thinking that Balraj could have had the whip removed and could then stand as an independent? If so, this surely had to be preferable to the situation being allowed to continue as it did.

Anne England ● 19d

Surely to God there is no dilemma here? Of course we should expect our councillors to do the right thing. As I understand things, Cllr. Balraj's Daddy is a big mate of the Leader and insisted his son become a councillor, presumably for the perceived prestige, (he also takes the money).Dad also has some powers regarding votes that may or may not ensure Cllr. Rajawat's continuing role as Leader. So sonny is parachuted into Brentford, and actually doesn't give a damn  - and the rest of the gutless wonders say nothing, even though as Cllr. Emsley has pointed out they could do so. So instead they decide to play silly buggers by harassing Cllr. Lambert by accusing him of 'uncomradely remarks' - a councillor who does fulfil the role properly, and remove the Whip from him until next February. They are a disgrace to local government and ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves if they had any self awareness- which I seriously doubt.

Vanessa Smith ● 19d

Not sure that analogy works here. Cllr Sarai appears to be an opportunist so would always have the option of resigning the Labour whip if they tried to get rid of him. The question now is do they give him an out by ignoring the breach of the rules to avoid a potentially damaging by election or do they do the right thing and insist that he steps down. You can't cast final judgement on their behaviour until we know which way they jump on this matter.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 20d

Echoes of a Mafia Family thing.  "Look after my useless Boy and I'll look after you" Trouble is all those in the know are either related or don't speak out until they are out of the mire.

Raymond Havelock ● 26d

He seems to have made tactical appearances since his election to allow him to claim his allowance. It is good to see the honesty of people like Vanessa and Anne on this sad affair. I don't think we can be too harsh on Labour being scammed in this way but they should have dealt with the problem earlier.Perhaps with the looming shadow of Theo Dennison they didn't want to risk a by-election but this now looks like a big error. If they had done it a year ago they would have had much better national poll ratings and the situation with Watermans and the Fountains Centre would have been a bit more favourable. They might struggle to hold on if a new councillor needs to be found.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 27d

Been going on for 2.5 years so rather a long time to be absent. I don't hear any criticism from his colleagues about his absentiesm.

David Cook ● 28d

Actually, maybe Rajawat was leader then - getting a little confused ...

Anne England ● 28d

Rajawat wasn't leader when Balraj was selected. I can only imagine that Balraj managed to pull the wool over people's eyes during the selection process - something I'm sure that can happen in any party.As I said in an earlier post, there are those of us in the local party who would like some answers re the management or non-management of this. It's an appalling situation and one with which I care not to be associated.

Anne England ● 28d

Balraj probably knows where the skeletons are hidden by Rajawat and co. Probably why he was selected in the first place.

Simon Hayes ● 28d

My thoughts too Nigel.I'm recalling some dishonest Labour Councillors and others in the past.One Asian chap was the the Mayorand he was the owner of a nightclubopposite Hounslow West Station.The night club had applied for a licensing extention with a disco until 3am.This Labour Party chief claimed he knew nothing about it ... it was his wife's doing. That denial was blazed over local newspapers.A short while later a lady called at my house in Osterley checking on.my wellbeing because of my age. It turned out she was the disco chap'sMother! She said it was the husband /the Labour Party leader who had asked him to work longer hours till 3am. So the Mayor was telling grest big lies. Charming!In another happening a Labour Councillor's son was dumping tons and tons of waste at a location on the Heston Service Station on the M4(eastbound). The son was caught red handed and taken to Court.The judge in the case said he'd never heard such a big liar in all his legal life.This son lived in the same house as his Dad ... a Labour Councillor ...who denied knowing anything about his son's activity!That's enough for now.We need a leader like the late Cecil Pocock ... a local magistrate, and a fine Alderman and Mayor. He didn't participate in nonsence like we're having to tolerate.

Jim Lawes ● 29d

I seem to recall reading that a disproportionate number of Hounslow councillors all attend the same place of worship. I do wonder if the code of silence has anything to do with this.

N V Brooks ● 29d

All extremely well made points Jim and it is astonishing that no members of the local Labour Party have had the courage to speak up so we can only presume they feel threatened in some way to do so

Paul Fisher ● 29d

It is unsatisfactory that there has been no explanation from the Labour Party about this matter.This shortfall tricks observers to perhaps make wrong assumptions.Is the chap ill and deserves our sympathy?Why haven't any of the other Brentford Councillors explained the situation to their constituents?Are these Brentford folk tougue tied for fear up being punished by their Labour Party bosses.Who was on the Labour Party Selection Committee who interviewed and chose this candidate.Was this Committee trying to avoid having to select someone  else.I've been on a Conservative Party Selection Committee in the past for both Councillor candidates and Parliamentary candidates as thus have an inkling what happens in normal cases.What were this chap's attributes that led to him being chosen. Was it a racist thing ... to balance the make up of the Wards personnel.The Leader of the Council should be challenged for an answer and a belated apology.

Jim Lawes ● 29d

There are a number of us within the local party who don't understand the lack of action concerning this individual.

Anne England ● 29d

I assume he has been collecting his pay as a Councillor while doing virtually nothing for two years. He should be asked to refund most of his tax payers allowance.

Chris Dakers ● 29d

If the Labour group fail to take action to rid themselves and Brentford of this lazy object, then they are as bad as he is. He has without doubt brought the party into disrepute, and those who have sat back and allowed this farce to continue are as bad, and have behaved appallingly towards the electorate in that ward. So much then for 'The Leader and 'Chief Whip' going on a witch hunt over some supposed 'uncomradely remarks' from Cllr. Lambert, yet sitting back and doing nothing whatsoever about someone who barely showed his face in the two years since being elected.  As officers of the Labour Group these two people should have known the relevant Local Government legislation and also their Group Rules, they have shown themselves to be sadly lacking in common sense and intelligence. Leadership requires more than chucking your weight around and show- boating. What a joke.

Vanessa Smith ● 29d