Row Mars New Mayoral Appointments

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Cllr. Andrews accuses Labour of "petulance and confusion"

The appointment of Hounslow's new Mayoral team has been marred by a row over the failure of the Labour Group to support the nomination of Cllr. Andrew Morgan Watts. The Hanworth ward councillor was appointed at the annual general meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday, 22 May. The post is largely a ceremonial one.

Labour leader Councillor Jagdish Sharma told the meeting that the abstention was because "there are certain people we don't agree with", although he declined to say whom or on what grounds. It is believed he is referring to Cllr. Phil Andrews, whose wife, Caroline, was nominated as Deputy Mayor. Cllr. Phil Andrews was a leading member of the National Front in eighties.

Speaking after the meeting, Community Group Leader Councillor Phil Andrews commented, "Labour's whole handling of this matter smacks of petulance and confusion."

He added, " "If they really believe that either Caroline or I has an extremist secret agenda then their moral duty has to be to oppose our nominations, not to abstain. By abstaining they seem to be saying that they don't know what they believe. Perhaps they haven't been told. Unfortunately they seem unable to comprehend the sheer farcity of the situation which they have created. They have made themselves look quite ridiculous and have become a laughing stock."

Cllr Morgan-Watts also announced his charities for his Mayoral year: Cancer Research UK; The Shooting Star Trust, which provides care and support to children and young people living with a life-limiting condition and their families; and Hounslow Alzheimer’s Society, a specialist support service, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dementia, their families and carers.

The new Mayor, an elected ward councillor for 10 years, is Hanworth born and bred. He trained for three years as a Police Officer at Hendon Police College, before training as a Life Guard. He has also worked as a Swimming Instructor at Isleworth and Feltham pools, a sales and marketing representative on The Evening Mail newspaper, and has worked for Richmond Council Trading Standards for the last 20 years.

Proposing Cllr. Andy Morgan Watts to be the first ever Liberal Democrat Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr .Andrew Dakers said, “ Whilst a loyal Liberal Democrat I'd think its fair to say that Andy is acutely aware, and has long recognised, that in our active interest in our local communities as councillors we usually have more in common, than our party political differences."

The new Deputy Mayor is Syon ward councillor Caroline Andrews is the mother of 10-year-old twins. She was elected to the council in 2006. Born in Hanworth, she has lived in the borough all her life.

Speaking at the meeting, new Mayor Andrew Morgan-Watts said, “I am most honoured to be elected Mayor of this Borough. I have many exciting ideas and projects for my Mayoral year.

“My wife Linda and I, together with my Deputy Mayor, Councillor Caroline Andrews, and her husband Phil, are looking forward to the next twelve months, and we are proud to serve the community of Hounslow in our new roles.”

A qualified book-keeper, Cllr Andrews has many years’ experience working with young people as a Youth leader and a Teaching Assistant. She holds the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, (one of the first to do so in Hounslow in the early ‘80s) , and also has the BETA (Basic Expedition Training Award), training young people for the Bronze and Silver Awards and has served as Treasurer for the Hounslow Duke of Edinburgh Awards Committee.

May 23, 2007