Forum Topic

Election results

Anyone know the results for the Brentford/Isleworth wards?  Can't find it anywhere. Thanks.

Pat Kingham ● 3054d50 Comments

They're still counting away - results won't be out until late this afternoon.

Jennifer Selig ● 3054d

BBC says 3pm.  Hanging on this web site for the news!  ;) x

Sarah Felstead ● 3054d

The first result is Turnham Green, held by the Tories (2014 percentages in brackets):CON 42.5 (42.0)LAB 35.1 (24.0)LD  22.4 (14.5)Seems the Tories held their percentage almost exactly whilst the vote won by the Greens in 2014 divided up between Labour and the Lib Dems.

Phil Andrews ● 3054d

Labour hold Brentford. Details on front page. My work firewall doesn't seem to like the system that Hounslow are using to report the results.

Dan Evans ● 3054d

Labour has taken 3 wards so far.

Vanessa Smith ● 3054d

Four now.  Hounslow South used to be a safe Tory ward, now Labour chalk up percentage points for fun.

Phil Andrews ● 3054d

Curran's back - boo!

Vanessa Smith ● 3054d

After my experience of one of the Brentford Conservative candidates last night I'm pleased to see said candidate polled least of the 3 Conservative candidates and less than 1 of the Green candidates...speaks volumes.

Adam Beamish ● 3054d

Turnout is appallingly low - mind you never have I known such a mind-numbing, boring, lacklustre election campaign from all sides. Judging by the results overall many people couldn't be arsed, and who can blame them? So we will get a council vote for by under 40% of the people eligible to vote, I hope the lesson isn't lost on those elected.

Vanessa Smith ● 3054d

Indeed, although looking at 2014 turnout that was even worse.For me, the one thing that stands out both locally and nationally is the impressive results of the Green Party, although I don't know how to interpret it - an indication that people are becoming more environmentally aware perhaps ?.  Or an indication that people are starting to perceive so little difference between the big 3 parties that they're looking elsewhere ?.

Adam Beamish ● 3054d

The name that always comes up is that of Caroline Lucas who impresses when she's being interviewed, let's be honest she's head and shoulders above Jezza and Mrs. Weak & Wobbly.

Vanessa Smith ● 3054d

Isleworth all red I see, are we going to have the standard sea of red with a blue eastern edge ?.

Adam Beamish ● 3054d

Oh Sh*t! Poor Isleworth..................

Vanessa Smith ● 3054d

Think the result has made my mind up to leave the area once and for all and seek pastures new

Paul Fisher ● 3054d

I'll leave too when my daughter moves out. The choice of candidates were so bad I didn't bother voting.

Chris White ● 3054d

The results were not the ones I would have chosen, but I guess it isn't me who gets to choose.  What cannot be disputed is the convincing nature of Labour's victory across the borough.  Not one of the 51 seats which Labour won came anywhere close to being threatened, not even in those one-time Tory strongholds of Hounslow Sourh and Osterley & Spring Grove. Credit needs to be given where it is due imho.Labour's challenge in Chiswick was also impressive, if ultimately unsuccessful.  Both parties will be happy with the overall outcome.

Phil Andrews ● 3053d

Congratulations to the Labour candidates across Hounslow and to the Conservative candidates in Chiswick on their election success.A big thank you to all Hounslow residents who voted Liberal Democrat in these elections. The turnout in Isleworth was good at 39.9% compared with an average for the Borough of 36.6% with 3,529 ballots cast across the ward. Postal votes across the borough represented 64.64% of the turnout.Libdems had a very encouraging night in South-West London regaining both Kingston and Richmond & Twickenham councils. That pattern of success has yet to cross the border from Twickenham to Isleworth and other wards bordering Richmond and Twickenham. All Libdem councillors in Southfield ward in the Ealing part of Chiswick were re-elected and good progress in vote share was achieved in Turnham Green and other Chiswick wards.Hounslow Libdems are of course disappointed not to have seen Libdem councillors elected to the Council. We remain confident, however,  that over time we can begin to emulate the success of our colleagues in South-West London and elsewhere.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3053d

A big thumbs up from me to Richard Clarke, who got 25.2% of the vote in Hanworth Park, the best Liberal Democrat % result in the Borough.Also high 5 to Robert Thorpe, who came within a 180 votes of overtaking the Tories in Isleworth!

Christopher Gillie ● 3053d

The fact is this decision was made by the majority of the under 40% of people eligible to vote - it is not a brilliant show of confidence in Labour, or anyone else for that matter.The whole election was a non event with no passion, enthusiasm or real political debate. All parties really do need to address the reasons for this lack of engagement, after all matters in local elections affect us more closely than national issues.

Vanessa Smith ● 3053d

Be careful because saying stuff (which is true of a local Cllr and Local Labour) on Social media is wrong and you will be called a Bully like me...apparently you shouldn't list all the bad stuff they have done on social media but tell them face to face..

Simon Anderson ● 3053d

"Be careful because saying stuff (which is true of a local Cllr and Local Labour) on Social media is wrong and you will be called a Bully like me...apparently you shouldn't list all the bad stuff they have done on social media but tell them face to face.."Last time I looked we still lived in a free society, bullies are also cowards and frankly I don't give a toss about them, telling this lot 'face to face' would be incredibly difficult anyway - as they didn't even knock on our door.

Vanessa Smith ● 3053d

I told them face to face but they ignore you. But according to the individuals calling me a bully all think a certain Cllr is fantastic and does a fantastic job...and talking about them on line you are a keyboard warrior..

Simon Anderson ● 3053d

"But according to the individuals calling me a bully all think a certain Cllr is fantastic and does a fantastic job...and talking about them on line you are a keyboard warrior.."Really? So bloody what?

Vanessa Smith ● 3053d

Vanessa,I have enjoyed reading your posts and those of others on this forum over the past few weeks.It’s a beautiful day and we have a long weekend of good weather to look forward to. I spent the morning taking down stake-boards and will enjoy a barbecue with my family. When the sun goes down I plan on making a start on the agents expense returns.On the substance of your post, I had a conversation with an Australian resident of Isleworth a couple of weeks back about the mandatory system of voting in his home country. While it seems to work well there, I am not sure that would go down so well in the UK. It was a very close election in St. Margarets and North Twickenham with two libdems and one conservative elected which was a broadly proportionate result. In Hounslow, however, there are a disproportionate number of labour councillors relative to votes cast. We do need to move to a system of proportional representation for local elections so people can be sure their vote will count for something.We ask a lot of local candidates and activists who have busy lives to lead and only so much time they can devote to campaigning. One thing I am sure of. There is no shortage of passion for community issues in Isleworth – whether it is people campaigning for or against the Church street closure; the Isleworth society and its campaign against the development of the Park Road allotments; parents and teachers campaigning against school cuts,MRAG and the Mogdem sewer works; environmentalists and over-development and a myriad of public service issues.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3053d

"One thing I am sure of. There is no shortage of passion for community issues in Isleworth – whether it is people campaigning for or against the Church street closure; the Isleworth society and its campaign against the development of the Park Road allotments; parents and teachers campaigning against school cuts,MRAG and the Mogdem sewer works; environmentalists and over-development and a myriad of public service issues."Precisely - the passion and push to address local issues is driven by local groups and individuals, but where is the support from councillors? That's a question you haven't answered, local groups should be able to expect to work WITH members. Unfortunately we find ourselves at odds more often than not with people who simply will not listen and believe they know it all. Quite honestly I found your response quite patronising, don't you think that a lot of us are more than aware of the busy lives people lead? Don't we all? But put yourself up for election and all that goes with the territory, all we ask is that elected representatives don't exist apart from the community they are supposed to represent. We expect them to get stuck in and communicate, not think they are apart from the rest of us. We also expect integrity and transparency, sadly the local experience has been that these have been in short supply.Personally I have no problem with mandatory voting, you always have the option of spoiling the ballot paper, but I suspect you do get a more accurate picture of how people are feeling having had to go to the polling station.

Vanessa Smith ● 3053d

Vanessa,Our prospective councillor candidates come in all shapes and sizes.  Unless they have reached retirement age, most will have jobs and family commitments that limit the level of campaigning that they are able to undertake at any given election.We all understand that criticism (constructive or otherwise) is part and parcel of the political process. As a former councillor and campaigner you will know this only too well yourself http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6339126.fragrances-to-blame-for-mogden-smell/Hounslow Liberal Democrats will continue to support and engage with local campaigns such as the Isleworth Societies campaign to maintain the Park Road Allotments and will be active in the national campaign for a referendum on any Brexit deal.The electoral reform society is running a campaign for a fairer voting system for local elections. Those interested can find the petition here https://action.electoral-reform.org.uk/page/2401/petition/1

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3053d

You're not getting this are you?Apart from the fact that this election was a non-event, (but I would say in the past people had exactly the same claims on their time but still managed to put themselves about) and leaving that aside, we now have to live with the decisions made. Frankly if people try to contact a councillor them saying how busy they are won't cut it, and neither should it, as they say - not my problem. To a certain extent you do give up your life of that there is no doubt, but engagement is vitally important and it is that that will be expected, we can only hope we are not disappointed, although past experience tells us otherwise, let's all hope we see a vital link between the various community groups and the council undergo a vast improvement.

Vanessa Smith ● 3052d

Vanessa,I like to think I and Hounslow Liberal Democrats do get it. Local elections typically attract much lower turnouts than general elections especially among younger people. I believe one of the key reasons for low turnouts, as I have argued above, is the first past the post voting system that leaves the local Labour party with 85% of council seats on 54% of the vote. Many residents will simply not bother in these circumstances.It is not just candidates that have to fit in time in a busy schedule for campaigning. The majority of votes cast in the local elections are by postal ballot and as often as not based on national party loyalties rather than the key local governance issues. Hence, why parties extrapolate local election results to prospects in general elections.I am not as critical as you are of individual councillors. I respect the fact that residents of the borough are willing to engage in and give up their time for public service of whatever political stripe they may hail from. I am critical of poorly delivered public services and policies that are driven by what I believe are fundamentally flawed ideologies (from the left or right of the political spectrum) at both local and national level.At local government level there should be scope for a good deal of cross-party cooperation and consensus building. Unfortunately, this rarely happens in practice in those councils where a single party has a dominant position over a long period of time.I do agree with your comments that engagement by councillors is vitally important and echo your wish to see an improvement in the links between the various community groups and the council.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3052d

Is it correct what you say about the majority of votes cast in local elections being postal votes? You obviously think so - I'm not so sure.

Anne England ● 3051d

Anne,thank you for drawing my attention to that error in my post. I think it is actually around 25% postal votes (not a majority). In Syon ward (for example) the total ballots verified were 3,867 (993 postal and 2864 in polling stations). I expect the borough data will be available on the council website in due course.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3051d

"I am not as critical as you are of individual councillors."Perhaps you haven't been deliberately lied to? Which I can assure you happened here, having to resort to a FOI request to get to the bottom of something should not be what you have to do. It was, and is, unforgiveable.

Vanessa Smith ● 3051d

Well said Vanessa.I don’t think your man knows half of what’s been going on here over the last 4 yrs.

Robin Dickers ● 3051d

Vanessa,I am very sorry to hear of your experience and yes I am aware that several Isleworth residents have expressed similar concerns.Fortunately, I have not personally had this kind of experience in my dealings with councillors in the Brentford Ward. As you will be aware, the Brentford and Isleworth area forum provides a link between the residents of Brentford, Syon, Isleworth and Osterley and service providers in the area. Meetings are open to the public and there should be an opportunity for members of the public to raise issues of concern through a public forum on the agenda.It is a forum that perhaps could be used more effectively as a means of airing concerns by campaigners and concerned residents of the area alike.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3051d

Oh! You mean like the IBAf meeting where the report into Church Street was aired? When councillors apart from a couple, decided to ignore their own consultation which said that over 700 people responded and 72% of them wished Church St. to re-open? Well, that works well............ It requires a commitment from councillors to properly engage with the community - from past experience they are more likely to see us as an enemy to be squashed and put in our place. I understand that the same thing happens in Chiswick's local area forum. There seems to be this overriding urge to control everything and if they can't then it ain't gonna happen.

Vanessa Smith ● 3051d

Vanessa,In your earlier comment you have expressed a hope we see a vital link between the various community groups and the council undergo a vast improvement.The five area forums across the borough are the principal vehicle that provides that link.On the Church Street decision, I had an opportunity to discuss the issue with a Green Party supporter who lives on the street last week. While differing in the focus of our priorities for traffic management in the area, we were both able to agree that proceeding without taking on board the results of the consultation was a poor democratic decision. It is possible to reach a consensus on solutions when approached objectively.It may even be the case that the backlash in Isleworth has given both the council and TFL cause to reflect on and redraw the contentious plans for a cycle super-highway down Chiswick High Road. The issue of air pollution around schools along the Twickenham Road is not going to go away. It will have to be addressed by the council and the Mayor and must be a collective priority for both the Isleworth councillors and IBAF.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3051d

The five area forums across the borough are the principal vehicle that provides that link.I afraid it doesn't work that way, I have volunteered with a community group since 1998 when we were in out and out battling mode with Councilors, Council officers, and the executive. We pulled in over a million of outside funding, but we were viewed as this little tin pot group of up starts who dare to build something the council cannot build.  So the general consensus was to try and suppress any idea we had to up grade our area. Sorry I wouldn't trust a local councilor as far as I could throw them or there little area forums.

Bernard Allen ● 3051d

Bernard,My engagement with local politics was via community groups. I served as a governor at a school in Brentford and with three football playing boys became involved with the campaign to keep Brentford Football Club in the local area.The clubs supporters trust – Bees United- registered a political party AbeeC and succeeded in getting a councillor elected for the Brentford Ward. That was a significant step in focusing the attention of the IBAF, local council and B&I MP on the plight of the club.Luke Kirton, the AbeeC councillor, stood down in 2006 and was succeeded by Andrew Dakers for the Libdems who proved highly supportive of the supporters trusts goal of maintaining the club in Brentford.Local authority support was an important element in the fans takeover of the club and impending move (under new ownership) to a new site in Lionel Road.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3051d

you dumped it on us by using votes from fans living 25 miles away from your rotten football club.Now your someone I wouldn't trust knowing you back ground.

Bernard Allen ● 3050d

Bernard,it's good to be clear where we are all coming fromn. That's what transparency is all about. The election of the AbeeC councillor was accomplished by good old fashioned leafletting and door-knocking in the Brentford ward in which I participated.As far as I am concerned the supporters trust at Brentford Football Club was a great example of what community action can achive and I was proud to have been able to play a small part in the effort to keep the football club in the community.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3050d

Bernard."you dumped it on us by using votes from fans living 25 miles away from your rotten football club."Please explain.

Neil Chippendale ● 3050d

So called fans from outside the Hounslow boundary were ask to sign the consultation.But being a journalist and writer you would of already known this, it's either old news or false flag as it's known as now.You could have used the search function on the site and found the old postings about it at the time and there are quite a few. But that said, it's all History now and the flaming thing is being built, so little can be said about the development.It not so much about the stadium it mainly about a certain gentleman thing this project can be labeled as a community project. It doesn't benefit the community that will live around it. it's only going to benefit the fans on the days they play. The local community will have to put up with the extra traffic as I cannot see Kew Bridge station having anything done to at all for donkeys years.So the A4/M4 corridor which is already badly polluted will have extra traffic added to it, even more if the rugby clubs use the ground as well, Or on the other hand some bright spark could even use it as a music venue, which is quite plausible as Boston Manor Park is being used in such a way, well if they ever get the gates back on.Now theirs a community challenge, one which will benefit the local residents who live around it. It's a great resource worthy of a Liberal Democrat to get involved.

Bernard Allen ● 3050d

Yep, completely agree with Bernard on this particular issue.The whole emphasis on 'community' was a sop, and the very minor concessions such as a small amount of floorspace for community type uses were soon dropped by way of variation applications to the original permission.It's nothing more than a private sports ground enabled by the 900 odd flats (with zero affordable provision) around it.One of the scenarios where although I was professionally instructed by objectors, I also firmly personally believed (and still believe) the development shouldn't have been approved.

Adam Beamish ● 3050d

"The five area forums across the borough are the principal vehicle that provides that link.I afraid it doesn't work that way, I have volunteered with a community group since 1998 when we were in out and out battling mode with Councilors, Council officers, and the executive. We pulled in over a million of outside funding, but we were viewed as this little tin pot group of up starts who dare to build something the council cannot build.  So the general consensus was to try and suppress any idea we had to up grade our area. Sorry I wouldn't trust a local councilor as far as I could throw them or there little area forums."I tend to agree with you Bernard. One acquaintance I know who has been involved with a well-known community project for years and has been shouted at by the Dear Leader at an area forum where he also tried to have her ejected for saying her piece. The problem they seem to have is if they didn't think of it they seem to resent anyone else having a good idea, neither will they assist groups in trying to get officers to move on issues that are vital to achieving progress. It turns into a constant battle when we should all be working together to improve matters. It is like a war, and too much energy is wasted with constant e-mails being ignored, and a chronic lack of staff. I have now had 3 conflicting e-mails about an application for CIL money made last September, from two different council departments and one from the Lead Member, I can't understand what the hell they are babbling on about, it is a bloody nightmare.      The area forums seem to be viewed as some kind of sop to the peasants to allow them to think that the councillors actually give a damn.

Vanessa Smith ● 3050d

"A big thank you to all Hounslow residents who voted Liberal Democrat in these elections."And a big thank you to Joe and his team for fighting so hard to make this a better place and to cure the rot. An honest and open campaign fought by decent people. Sadly this Borough got what it deserves and it will slip deeper into the cesspool especially after Brexit. A great and fantastic victory in Richmond and Kingston. We can only envy them but well done to them! 

Steve Taylor ● 3050d

Me because i have been classed as a bully and thretened to be pushed out of my Mobility scooter. All because i stated she has done nothing for this estate or locally. I also listed stuff she has blocked like Church St, Memorial benches and Resident groups trying to raise money for the estate and not getting the CCTV all up and working like she promised to over 100 residents at a meeting. I also stated that flytipping is getting worse, pot holes getting worse etc etc and its local Labours fault because they run the council. But i am classed as a bully and threatened.

Simon Anderson ● 3050d

Adam,I served on the board of Bees United and on the board of supporters direct (the national supporters trust body) when it was chaired by the Labour minister, Andy Burnham. When the fans took over the club, I served as a supporter director under the Chairmanship of Greg Dyke with the finance brief. This involvement gave me a good knowledge of how the club was saved from bankruptcy. It was through men like Luke Kirton, who served as a local councillor and the 2000+ members of Bees United who came together to put in their time and money to aid the club that has been part of Brentford since 1889. Not least the fans who undertook a 300 mile fundraising walk to Hartlepool http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://appasp.BrentfordTW8.com/server/app/forum/default.asp?site=5I think I agree with Bernard that it is old news now, but the fans that brought the club back from the brink deserve the credit and I will forever tip my hat to those that achieved it.There are many Brentford FC Fans that grew up in the area who are unable to afford homes at the prices asked here, even at so called affordable prices. The Housing crisis is deep rooted and requires radical measures to tackle the cost of Land, but that debate is for another time and place. 

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3050d

Vanessa,getting action from the council on entrenched problems is never easy. It takes time and persistence to wade through the bureaucracy. In Boston Manor Road we have a recurring problem with fly-tipping in the alleyways behind the houses. It is not public land, but communal property so there is no statutory obligation on the Council to remove rubbish tipped there. It is of course impractical for a pensioner or a single mum to be able to remove a truck load of construction rubble tipped at the back of her home. Dealing with these kind of issues takes endless correspondence and communication with council officials.We have been able to get a skip in the past to clear the alleyway (with the assistance of Councillor Mel Collins) and neighbours have gathered to clear these tips, until the next time it happens.These are the kind of issues that can be addressed at area forums. Personally, if I am going to confront council officials, I would much rather do it face to face in a public forum, rather than via some online message service or by email.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3050d

If stating the facts that are obvious makes you a 'bully', then we all are.

Vanessa Smith ● 3050d

Whilst Brentford aren't my team and I don't wish them or any club to go under, and as someone who was a LBH employee at the time of Luke Kirton and had various direct dealings with him and always found him to be a very fair and sensible chap, none of what you posted is in any way a material planning consideration as to why the BFC stadium scheme should have been granted planning permission.As someone in the profession who spends a fair time on this and other forums rubbishing claims often made by the public about dodgy dealings and such like, I'm perfectly comfortable saying that the whole committee meeting at which the BFC Stadium application was determined was orchestrated to perfection, with each of the Labour councillors primed to ask a question about a specific issue that objectors had raised as though they were genuinely concerned and undecided (as they are required to be).I know this because having worked as an Officer when many of those Councillors were in post I knew the ones who were clued up and the ones who, to be kind, were not quite as clued up about how their conduct might outwardly appear, and it was one of the latter who memorably asked his primed question, but in doing so went off script as said how wonderful he thought the scheme was, thereby basically saying "I don't care how you answer this question because I support the scheme, but I've been told to ask you this to pretend we're listening to objectors".It was shameful.

Adam Beamish ● 3050d

Adam,with all due respect,  none of what I posted is inntended to be in any way a material planning consideration as to why the BFC stadium scheme should have been granted planning permission or a comment on any aspect of the planning process.The post is about what grassroots concerted community action can achieve. In this case, resisting and preventing the relocation of a football club out of the borough,  that has been an integral part of the Brentford community for over a century.

Joseph Gerald Bourke ● 3050d