Serving as the Leader of Hounslow Council between 2006-2010 was a life changing experience.
It was great to work with loads of people who were making the borough a better place and to have to chance improve and develop the services that so many people rely on.
A couple of years on the “backbenches” have renewed my belief that Councillors are the eyes and ears of government, the voice of voters. Not much happens in our area that we don’t know about. We give a huge amount of time and energy to difficult issues, often with very little thanks or recognition but the rewards are great.
What really matters over the next couple of years is that the best people put themselves up for election. I know that this is a big ask. People are often put off by politics, unwilling to join a party at a time of growing disenchantment. But don’t be deterred. You might be pleasantly surprised to find local parties often have little in common with the goings on in Westminster. Local parties are more like clubs for people with broadly the same outlook on life.
Democracy, dare I say, relies on political parties and they deserve support. As the Government continues to hand more power down to councils, it is becoming more important than ever that we all get involved, know our councillors – and stand for elections.
Whatever needs changing in your neighbourhood, you could be just the person to change it by becoming a local councillor? Why don't you start thinking about it now!
