MikeAs the spokesperson for the Hounslow Labour Party would appear to be experiencing some difficulty in understanding your question, I have taken the trouble to research the matter myself. The remark followed a letter which I wrote to Hounslow Homes' Director of Housing on 13th April 2006 to which I did not receive a reply, expressing my concerns about what would appear to have been an exercise to promote Labour candidates in Isleworth at the public's expense - an illegal practice - during the recent local elections. In reply I said we would need to deal with this matter after the election had taken place.As one who takes probity and public responsibility so seriously I would have thought ex-Cllr. Ewes would have taken the first available opportunity to reassure us that he would not condone any attempt to use officers of the council in the pursuance of a party political campaign, especially during an election. Under the circumstances I would suggest it says rather a lot about the Labour Party in Hounslow that it seems more upset by my promise to remedy an apparent subversion of the democratic process than it is by the deed itself.I had actually forgotten about this particular incident in all the excitement, and I am grateful to ex-Cllr. Ewes for reminding me of my pledge to investigate it fully after the election. He will be pleased to know that I now intend to do so as a part of the Hounslow Homes Management Review process which is currently taking place under my chairmanship.The full text of my Open Letter, which ex-Cllr. Hughes omitted to reproduce, was as follows:"Dear Ms. Roberts "You may recall that during recent correspondence you assured me that Hounslow Homes recognised the need for political impartiality during the local election campaign and that officers had been reminded that they were to do nothing which might either advantage or give an impression of trying to advantage any particular candidate or party. "I also have a copy of a memorandum sent to you by Terry Welsh, the Director of Legal Services, on 20th Febraury 2006 which included the following, highlighted advice from Paragraph 41 of the statutory Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity: "'The period between notice of an election and the election itself should preclude proactive publicity in all its forms of candidates and other politicians involved directly in the election.' "The memorandum correctly points out that Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986 prohibits the publication of any material which in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party. "As you may be aware the Ivybridge tenants' group Ivytag has been trying for some time to have play equipment replaced in the play area around the Easedale House tower block. Ivytag has provided me with correspondence from Hounslow Homes which acknowledges this to be the case. "Last week a letter was distributed to residents on Ivybridge, on Hounslow Homes headed paper, inviting them to a drop-in session at the Bridge Link Centre, ostensibly so that they could express a preference from four possible designs. The drop-in session would take place in co-operation with the New Ivybridge Tenants' Association. No notification was sent to Ivytag, nor to any of the elected ward members, of this event. "At the weekend a post appeared on a local internet forum apparently from Hounslow Homes calling upon Ivybridge residents to come along to the event to 'meet your local Labour candidates'. "The post was quickly withdrawn by the moderators and friend and foe alike appeared to accept that it was bogus, and had been made with the intention of discrediting Hounslow Homes and/or the tenants' association. "It was with some disappointment therefore that I learned that at least one of the Labour candidates was indeed present at the event, and appeared to residents present to be helping to organise it. He was responding to questions from residents and at one point was engaged in a private meeting with another organiser. Other organisers included a member of the New Ivybridge Tenants' Association and an officer from Hounslow Homes. "I have to say whilst as you know there have been many instances in the past where I have had cause for complaint over Hounslow Homes' apparent interference in the political process in Isleworth, and that of the Housing department before it, I had considered the unambiguous promises contained in your previous correspondence to be a source of some reassurance. "I require a full and frank explanation for the events described above, and in the event of one not being provided or it being unsatisfactory I reserve the right to seek an inquiry into this latest incident after the election, whatever the outcome. "Due to the possible implications in the electoral arena, this letter has been copied to various individuals and agencies, as listed below. "Yours sincerelyCouncillor Phil Andrews c.c. Mark Gilks - Chief Executive, Terry Welsh - Director of Legal Services Simon Anderson - Chair, Ivytag Brentford, Chiswick & Isleworth Times Hounslow Chronicle Brentford TW8.com ChiswickW4.com Councillor Genevieve Hibbs Councillor Fred Muston Paul Fisher - Community candidate, Isleworth ward"
Phil Andrews ● 6865d