Forum Topic

Residents' petition to Borough Council

I know it's a little outside the borders of TW8, but it was a pleasure to be given the opportunity to present a petition to last night's Borough Council meeting signed by 250 residents of Waye Avenue, Cranford, calling for public safety improvements in the street and around the park.Although I'm not their ward councillor the residents asked me to present the petition as they believed that as a community councillor I would be more receptive.If there is anybody from the area reading this, please be assured that I will be monitoring the progress of the petition and will report back when I have a response.

Phil Andrews ● 6056d10 Comments

There are lots of rumours doing the rounds, some more plausible than others.  One of the funnier ones I've heard is that Ellar is/was touting himself as a possible candidate for Isleworth or Syon, reckoning that Labour needs a "big name" in the area.  Which is a strange logic indeed as most of the names I've heard being applied to the ex-Council Leader and serial election loser consist of only four letters - and that's just from his own party colleagues.All I can say is that I hope there is more substance to the rumour than I'm inclined to believe.  Bring it on Colin, let us see what you've got.

Phil Andrews ● 6055d

It would seem that the Labour party really does have a death wish if they are so desperate that they have to resort to selecting Chatt again. What have the poor souls in Cranford done to deserve that? It speaks volumes about the dreadful state of the Labour party - talk about desperate measures.

Vanessa Smith ● 6055d

A very interesting insight into the politics of Cranford !Political parties have to be very careful who they select as candidates for local and parliamentary elections. In this respect, it is usually best to select people who have been members of and worked for the party on the ground for at least a few years.The same also applies to organisations like the Community Group. If Phil is not careful he could end up with some refugees from the Monster Raving Loony Party or the Taliban or indeed - the Non-Keen Labour Party - if he choses to spread his wings beyond Isleworth.

David Giles ● 6055d

In Cranford everyone in the Asian community says "yes" at the door. It is impolite in their community to do otherwise. This is why canvassing results are never an indicator of the likely result. It is also why petitions are easily supported.You posted a group photo on your blog taken at a Hindu temple. I recognised and know most in the photo. Most have sought election as Labour/Tory/Independent candidates. A majority, if my arithmetic is correct, have stood under more than one label. I don't know how well you know those in the group, but my guess is that those who are long term political enemies gave nothing away.It is their community's version of "face".

John Connelly ● 6056d

LOL.But I think the most important thing to note about this petition is not who may or may not have collected it, but the fact that it was signed by 250 residents living in one street.  Those Labour councillors must be a real big hit with the locals.

Phil Andrews ● 6056d

Indeed they did. Local slogan - "End 35 years of Labour misrule". I think this caused considerable confusion!

John Connelly ● 6056d

Didn't they stand in 2006?

Phil Andrews ● 6056d

The politics of Cranford has been dominated by the local MP for a number of years, and the candidates who have been successful in the last couple of elections were not chosen by their party on ability. Candidates for Labour were imposed from national headquarters in both 2002 and 2006. I hear that the imposed candidates for 2010 will be named soon, and that ex-councillor Chatt is favoured to be on the list.If my guess about who were behind the petition is correct they asked you to present it not because you are a "community" councillor but because their attempts to join the Tories and rejoin Labour were both rebuffed and they need a new label for next May!Caveat emptor!

John Connelly ● 6056d

JohnIt is a good point that you make.  And if their replacements did indeed petition on these issues prior to their being elected in 2006 you will agree it is a pretty poor show that they then failed to address these issues when elected to office.

Phil Andrews ● 6056d

Phil, I have no doubt that the names of the previous Cranford councillors (2002-2006) who were deselected by Labour will be on the petition.As such, they are merely copying what their replacements did to them prior to 2006. I can't remember who presented the petition critising the incumbents on the earlier occasion, but it would be interesting to see whether the criticism is identical or different to their opponents.

John Connelly ● 6056d