Forum Topic

Guy Lambert on Dukes Meadows

I read Guy Lambert's blog mentioning Dukes Meadows. I have been heavily involved in Dukes Meadows for over 20 years.When the very destructive masterplan and parking proposals were announced 6 yeas ago I and others protested. I appealed to Guy Lambert who was then on the Cabinet. He backed the then leader Steve Curran who was the main supported of the plans to the hilt. He gave us no support.I can only assume that now Guy is an Independent Councillor and intends to stand as such again, he is seeking to distance himself from all the things he supported as a Labour Cabinet member and now wants to criticise it for.No wonder trust in politics is so low.

Kathleen Healy ● 6d5 Comments

Could be. Certainly that was a big problem then - seems under control now.But what was done in DM would have been woefully inadequate. We cleared a massive flytip a couple of years ago which bore their hallmark but there was no occupation as far as I know.

Guy Lambert ● 1d

I tend to trust less politicians who never change their mind.When these measures were introduced they seemed to make little sense to me but I was told that the unspoken purpose was to make it more difficult for travellers to park in the area. Is there any truth to that?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1d

Yes, I was a cabinet member for 6 years and I am proud of what we achieved, despite very little support from the left of the party.I will say no more about Momentum. I did go to what I think was the first meeting at George IV in Chiswick. I was not impressed then or later. I was interested to see what they were about, because I am a serious councillor. open to good ideas and action.

Guy Lambert ● 4d

"I don't know whether Kathleen approved of the vandalism on the signs" What a stupid, nasty comment. I've spent over 20 years working with other people from the local community to transform Dukes Meadows from a vandalised, fly tipped no go area, into the lovely, well used park it is today. I helped set up a youth club in the early days to engage local young people and stop the vandalism.I am proud of having been a member of Momentum, it offered the positive change, many people clearly want. I recall seeing you at a meeting, hedging your bets I guess.My advice would be Guy, don't stand. Give other people a chance. Anything you criticise the Council for now is your legacy, you were a Cabinet member for years.

Kathleen Healy ● 5d

The masterplan was not 'very destructive' but it was with hindsight a waste of money.I'm not sure whether I was on Cabinet at the time but I accept Kathleen's assertion. And yes, I took the time to speak at length to Stefania Horne, then the lead officer on parks and she was keen on the proposals. She left Hounslow soon after, however, to become the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.Kathleen asserted at the time (because I talked at length with her too) that there was no damage caused by cars driving on the grass verges. That was obviously incorrect, and one of my changes of heart about these changes is that they were not properly implemented or policed and damage to grass verges continues. I don't know whether Kathleen approved of the vandalism on the signs about parking restrictions but it seems very probable that this came from people who didn't like the idea of parking being restricted. In practice, it really isn't restricted to any significant extent.As (I believe) a former Labour member and I'm told a supporter of Momentum, Kathleen will understand that the reason I am now an Independent Socialist councillor is simple because I was expelled from the Labour Party for calling attention to shortcomings of the administration after I had (voluntarily) resigned from the Cabinet. My 'sin' was making criticisms of the administration, because I am determined to improve local administration, which upset the leadership and indeed the national Labour Party.Whether I stand again I have not decided. Standing for Labour - which I always thought was my natural home - is not  possible, because I am expelled for a minimum of 5 years. I am passionate about improving Hounslow - particularly Brentford where I live and Chiswick where I previously resided for 25 years + Whether I will seek re-election next year I have not decided. I am not getting younger and standing as an independent requires a lot of additional work than as a party member and a successful campaign would be far from certain. I will have to balance all that against the impact I might have as an independent councillor - a single voice in a council with 62 political representatives.

Guy Lambert ● 6d