It’s often said that a week is a long time in politics, and in a week where we’ve seen three Labour councillors decide to no longer stand alongside their colleagues, and another one be welcomed to the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council in the shape of Vickram Grewal, it would be naive of me not to mention this in my blog this week.
I can’t comment on what’s happening within the Labour Group, it’s not my place to, and while rumours abound, all I can ever do is be honest with readers about my experience as a councillor on Hounslow Council.
In past blogs, I’ve tried to give readers an insight into life as a Conservative councillor, what the council is doing (or not doing), the impact we can have locally, and the values that shape my politics. For me, that means accountability, personal responsibility, community, inclusion, aspiration, and making sure public money is handled wisely. Those values guide how I approach problems and look for solutions, in both my public and private life, and I’ve found myself relying on them a lot recently.
Within our Group, and across the council, we won’t agree on everything, and that’s the strength of democracy. You debate, challenge, and often reach a better answer. No one has all the solutions, and anyone who thinks they do probably isn’t asking enough questions. From an early age we learn that honest questions are one of the best ways to grow, and that lesson still holds in public life.
Indeed, even Confucius said that ‘He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions’. I’d amend that to say that they have neither asked nor been asked all the questions. After all, we learn as children that asking questions is a fabulous way to learn.
The Conservative Party in Hounslow is often jeered at and used as a punching bag by the current administration when we’re in the chamber, but more often than not, I see the work done by our team as one of a small but mighty opposition. We shine a light on financial mismanagement, advocate for the vulnerable and aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. All this means that those we have been elected to represent and serve have an alternative route to speak truth to power.
And next week will be no exception. At the borough council meeting, Councillor Vickram Grewal will be presenting his first motion since joining our Group, a motion that calls for urgent action on the failing Lampton Group. This motion, proposed by Cllr Jack Emsley, highlights an issue that has concerned many of us for a long time. Lampton was created to generate income and deliver services, yet it has instead accumulated over £15 million in losses, repeatedly missed repayments on its council loans, and become reliant on cashflow injections simply to stay afloat. That’s taxpayers’ money being used to prop up a company the Council itself owns, and residents deserve to know what’s going on.
We have pushed for transparency for years, and this motion finally forces the council to publish the long-awaited external report into Lampton, improve scrutiny, and introduce proper accountability. It’s a significant moment not just for our Group but for every resident who expects responsible stewardship of public funds. Vickram’s decision to put his name to this motion says a lot about the values he brings, and about what he wants to help us achieve.
In the capacity of one of my roles locally, I have spoken with Vickram at length about why he wanted to join the Conservative Party. It was never just a one-way conversation, we took the time to question and listen to each other’s answers, and to ascertain if our values aligned. I’m pleased to be able to say that they do, and I’m sure he’ll be a fantastic addition to our team in Hounslow.