Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats

Chiswick Liberal Democrats launch their local election manifesto

2018-04-19T08:00:00Z

Chiswick Liberal Democrat Local Manifesto 2018

Chiswick Liberal Democrats' manifesto pledges to fight to stop Brexit, support EU citizens and make Chiswick greener and healthier.

Chiswick residents face a stark choice in the Local Elections on the 3rd of May. Voting Labour is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn, Brexit and four more years of a complacent Labour Council. Voting Conservative means backing Teresa May, a Hard Brexit and pro-Brexit councillors.

"We think it is time for a change from the dysfunctional two-party system and a return to open, tolerant, liberal values" said Helen Cross, candidate for Turnham Green Ward. "That means sending a clear message through the ballot box to the Conservatives and Labour to stop this damaging Brexit".
The Liberal Democrats have an ambitious vision for Chiswick, and you can see our candidates talk about our manifesto on our Facebook page here.

Our manifesto pledges are:

1. Fight to Stop Brexit

Vote Liberal Democrat in May to send a message to the Conservative Government and Labour's non-opposition, that Chiswick residents don't support a hard Tory Brexit. The Liberal Democrats are the only national party campaigning for an #ExitfromBrexit with a referendum on the final Brexit deal, giving us the option to stop Brexit and remain in the EU.

2. Support our local EU Citizens

Vote Liberal Democrat to show you support the EU nationals who live and work here. Liberal Democrats back our EU citizens' right to stay, work, love and build a future in the UK. The Conservatives have used them as bargaining chips.

We will campaign for a proper, specialised council support service to help EU citizens to understand their rights and navigate the purposely difficult UK Citizenship application process.

3. No Third Runway

The Conservatives back a third runway at Heathrow. Labour is divided and non-committal, and won't fight against a third runway. The Liberal Democrats are the only major party united in opposing a third runway or expansion at Heathrow. Chiswick voters can't trust the Conservatives on Heathrow, but the Chiswick Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign with others to stop Heathrow expansion. Better doesn't have to be bigger.

4. Reduce Pollution

Liberal Democrats have a plan to make Chiswick a healthier place for all. We will:

Get the A4 through Chiswick included in the Ultra Low Emission zone, reducing pollution and improving the health of Chiswick residents. See our campaign here.
Install a green barrier on the A4 to reduce car pollution impact for the residents and schools near the A4.
Implement traffic light synchronisation to reduce stop / start traffic on the High Road (the biggest impact on pollution levels) and look at reducing the speed limit.

As councillors we will take advantage of existing funds for green spaces (like Green Capital) and embrace green initiatives like the All London Green Grid and TfL best practice to make the case for these improvements. Hounslow Council has failed to address the increasing amount of harmful pollution from the A4. We therefore promise to produce transparent indexes based on TfL's own Healthy Street Indicators to hold the Council and TfL to account.

5. Improve Public Transport

Liberal Democrats for Tube Users

Together with Caroline Pidgeon, our Liberal Democrat in the GLA, we will continue to pressure TfL to make the Piccadilly Line stop at Turnham Green.

Liberal Democrats for Bus Users

The Labour Mayor of London is cutting bus services everywhere. Liberal Democrats will fight any proposed cuts to essential bus services in Chiswick.

Liberal Democrats for Cyclists and Pedestrians

We support better facilities for both cyclists and pedestrians, and will work to ensure the CS9 cyclesuperhighway improves access and facilities for everyone in Chiswick - pedestrians, users of public transport, and cyclists. Read more about our assessment criteria for CS9 here.

6. Improve parks and community spaces

We support the protection of Chiswick's green spaces and parks, which are an essential part of what makes Chiswick such an enjoyable place to live and work. As councillors we will work with local groups to improve accessibility and park facilities in Chiswick.

Dukes Meadows

We support the Dukes Meadows Trust 3 pledges (read more here). Paths and other public areas there need to be upgraded (with assistance if necessary from the Hounslow Community Infrastructure Levy). The Council and Lampton360 also need to work more transparently with the Trust, clubs and organisations to manage and maintain Dukes Meadows to a high standard.

Chiswick Back Common

We want to see improvement to lighting and facilities in Chiswick Back Common.

7. Fight Crime

Chiswick Liberal Democrats and Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillors are working together to campaign against the closure of Chiswick Police Station by the Labour Mayor of London. We firmly believe in the importance of community policing and will fight to retain the same level of police presence in Chiswick.

Vote Liberal Democrat for a fair, open and tolerant society and better local government.

Click here to read more about our Chiswick candidates.

Notes to editors

For enquiries on this release please contact:

Helen Cross, Leigh Edwards or Chris Gillie, candidates for Turnham Green ward at liberalchiswick@gmail.com

Published and promoted by Sean Bourke at 104 Boston Manor Road, Brentford, TW8 9LN and Carl Pierce on behalf of Hounslow Liberal Democrats at 3 The Greenway, Hounslow, TW4 7AJ
Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

Key Liberal Democrat policies for London

2017-06-06T18:47:00Z

Key Liberal Democrat policies for London

Keep London in Europe

We are totally opposed to the Government's 'Hard Brexit', which poses risks to London's jobs, economy and culture.

The Liberal Democrats fought harder than any other party to try and keep the UK in the EU, and beyond the referendum result we continue to advocate the UK's and London's, role in Europe.

Time to tackle London's housing crisis

We have called on Mayor of London to match our target of 200,000 homes by 2020.

We have a fully-costed plan to build 200,000 homes by 2020. We would continue the Olympic Precept (which paid for the 2012 Olympic Games) at £20 a year, and use it to fund this housebuilding program.

The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges London faces. Owning or securely renting a decent home is the foundation for the lives people build in our city, and the massive shortage of homes for Londoners is making this an impossibility for many of us.

3000 more police on London's streets

We have a costed plan to put 3,000 new police officers at London's crime hotspots.

These additional officers will be funded by increasing the spend on policing from City Hall through Transport for London, paid for by increased receipts from Congestion Charging and a Workplace Parking levy.

We want them concentrate in and around the transport network, where there has been a worrying increase in attacks and sexual assaults, and to tackle and deter violent crime.

Diesel surcharge

We have called on the Mayor to introduce a special charge for the most polluting diesel vehicles coming into central London to help improve our City's air quality.

Air pollution in the capital is the worst in the UK for dangerous airborne particles. We have the highest annual nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels of any city in Europe. This pollution has a serious health impact: it causes thousands of premature deaths and makes respiratory conditions such as asthma worse. The Liberal Democrats believe that this must change.

Joe Bourke, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford and Isleworth said "As we come to terms with the prospect of dealing with an increasing level of terroism in London, we must be prepared to fund the police and security services adequately. Liberal Democrats have developed fully costed plans to do just this as well as tackling housing, public health and economic issues of prime importance to London."

Lib Dems call for 3,000 more police officers in London

2017-05-05T12:42:00Z

The Liberal Democrats have outlined a costed plan to put 3,000 new police officers in London's crime hotspots.

The party says many of these officers would be concentrated in and around the transport network, where there has been a worrying increase in attacks and sexual assaults.

If elected on 8th June, the Lib Dems' Candidate for Brentford and Isleworth, Joe Bourke, says he would push for some of those officers to be deployed to tackle rising anti-social behaviour, violence and criminality on Chiswick Back Common. In recent weeks gangs of youths have congregated in the area, opposite Turnham Green Tube Station, fighting and harassing local residents.

Joe pointed out that the past month has seen a stabbing, assaults on the police and members of the public, and an incident in which up to 40 youths ran amok along the High Street.

"These incidents highlight the impact that Government's cuts are having on law and order, in what is usually considered a safe area for families to spend their leisure time," he said.

Joe noted that the police were doing their best to control the situation, increasing patrols, and where possible, drafting in extra officers from Hounslow and Feltham. They had also introduced a Dispersal Zone, permitting them to arrest youths returning to the area after being asked to leave. But more was needed.

"The massive reduction of the police budget has impacted operations from Chiswick Police Station. A 40 per cent cut to Hounslow Council's enforcement budget means that requests for CCTV coverage for Chiswick Back Common are proving difficult to meet. And, with resources for youth services in Hounslow being slashed by 75 per cent, there is little prospect that public money will be provided to find alternative activities for these teenagers.

"The police need more officers in the area. They need CCTV coverage there. And these youths need somewhere else to go," he pointed out.

"If elected, we will bring an end to these constant, damaging rounds of cuts to public funding. Take direct action to halt this decline in local law and order. Vote for the Lib Dems on 8th June."

Dakers queries use of local police cells for convicts

2006-10-21T23:00:00Z

Andrew Dakers says bad planning by the Government should not have left the police force in Hounslow and across the UK in this position

Following the announcement by the Home Secretary that the shortage of prison places will necessitate the use of police cells for convicted prisoners in the coming weeks, Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, has asked the Borough Commander to explain what this means locally.

Cllr Andrew Dakers said:

"Hounslow must not find itself in a situation where there are insufficient places to detain people, late at night and at big events, who are violent and drunk and a threat to public order.

"Hounslow police have assured me that the Home Office will provide additional resources if cells have to be provided to provide short term relief in the present overcrowding situation. They have also assured me that there will be no decrease in policing Hounslow as a result.

"Bad planning by the Government should not have left the police force in Hounslow and across the UK in this position. The police have a hard enough job without picking up the pieces after basic errors in prison capacity planning."

Dakers releases "Safer Brentford" report

2006-05-30T23:00:00Z

Newly elected Liberal Democrat Councillor for Brentford Ward, Andrew Dakers, has launched a report looking at how to make Brentford safer. The report is based on analysis of 70 responses received from the 4,500 households who received one of two surveys during early April 2006. Cllr Dakers report highlights the need for increased communication between police and the local community on community safety and crime matters.

Cllr Andrew Dakers commented:

"The crime survey clearly showed that the Brentford community wants to see the council and police to work closely together in tackling crime hot spots and improve community safety. The feedback was extremely useful for identifying priority issues and we found a number of people interested in joining Neighbourhood Watch.

"The police have so far responded positively to the report. I look forward to discussions in the next few weeks to ensure that the new local police plan reflects local priorities.

"One of the essential changes in the year ahead must be improved communications from the council and police on crime issues. For example, there is no point in having free graffiti clean-up kits if no one knows where they are stored! Equally the police need to be proactive in regularly inviting members of the local community to join and develop Neighbourhood Watch groups."

Criminals to face 'payback' under Lib Dem plans - Dakers

2006-04-14T23:00:00Z

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, Andrew Dakers has welcomed plans to re-focus the national debate on crime and punishment in Britain. The Liberal Democrats plan new-style community sentences that give courts a tougher, more challenging alternative to prison for non-violent offenders.

Making use of the latest technology, Liberal Democrats would introduce high-tech, high-supervision, high visibility sentences which would require criminals to repay victims and communities. The plans would see non-violent offenders carrying out intensive and useful work, identified by local people, under close supervision using the latest tagging and tracking technology.

Commenting Andrew Dakers, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"If someone commits a crime, it is fair that they repay their victims and make amends.

"New technology means we can design tailor-made community sentences which keep the public safe and ensure that offenders work to repay their victims and communities.

"For many criminals prison is an occupational hazard. It is the soft option that locks them up for a few months in all-expenses paid accommodation with three meals a day, a gym, pool table and a TV. It is time to change that. Rather than taxpayers forking out thousands of pounds to keep a non-violent offender in prison for a few weeks, it is time to get something back. Victims of crime and the communities they live in are entitled to repayment for the crimes they have suffered."

Licensing law shambles - Dakers & Khalsa

2005-11-21T00:00:00Z

Last Tuesday Liberal Democrat MPs voted in favour of a Commons motion to scupper the Government's plans to allow 24-hour drinking. The motion was a final bid to annul the Licensing Act 2003. Unfortunately, the Labour government defeated the motion by a majority of 74 and the licensing reforms will come into force from this Thursday, 24 November.

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, said:

"I am not a killjoy, but with the festive season around the corner, longer opening hours will only fuel binge drinking. Labour has botched reform of drinking laws. Hounslow Council and local residents are left picking up the pieces."

Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, added:

"The government has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to warnings from many judges, doctors and senior police officers. Drink fuelled anti-social behaviour is a nation-wide problem which the Licensing Act fails to tackle. Local communities like those in Hounslow Borough will have to pick up the pieces and pay the price for this poorly timed change."

Statement on London Bombings - Dakers & Khalsa

2005-07-08T23:00:00Z

Commenting on Thursday's terrorist bombings in Central London Satnam Kaur Khalsa, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Feltham & Heston, said:

"It is a great tragedy that these bombings have taken place, and we feel for the families who have lost their dearest ones, and pray for the recovery of the injured.

"What a contrast with last week, when many people in Hounslow, from all communities and of all ages, were campaigning hard as part of the Make Poverty History campaign.

"Thursday morning's carnage mars the positive picture of staff and pupils of the Lampton School forming a human white band.

"We hope that the people of Hounslow will retain this positive mindset, and will not let the terrorists damage the good relations between people of different backgrounds in the borough."

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, commented:

"In a city as diverse as London these indiscriminate attacks on people of all ages, races and religions does nothing to further the causes of these terrorists. The fanatics that carried out the attacks in our great city must be brought to justice.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims and those fighting for their lives at this time. We also pay tribute to the emergency services that responded on the day and now have the gruelling task of recovery at the bomb sites."

ENDS

Assaults on Hounslow police rocket 168% in three years

2005-02-02T22:42:00Z

Police face an increasing risk of assault on Hounslow's steets

The number of assaults on police officers in Hounslow has gone up by 168% in the last three years, according to a Mayoral Answer to the Liberal Democrats.

The figures show that between October 2001 and September 2002 there were 34 assaults on police officers. Two years later - between October 2003 and September 2004 - there were 91 assaults, an increase of 168 per cent.

London-wide, the statistics show that between October 2003 and September 2004 there were 3,287 assaults compared to 1,267 two years previously, an increase of 160 per cent.

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth said:

"No one deserves to be abused or assaulted when doing their job. Bobbies on the beat face enough dangers without having to worry about being assaulted. We have trouble recruiting more police officers and potential new recruits will be wary of taking on a job where an ever increasing risk of being assaulted is an occupational hazard.

"As the government introduces twenty-four hour drinking the council must work with the police on the control of licensing and premises. At the same time we must work through schools and colleges to make young people aware of the danger they present themselves - and others - when they binge drink. Only through discussing the impacts of alcohol openly will we encourage more responsible lifestyles."

More emergency response police would make public safer - Dakers

2004-12-13T01:07:00Z

Lynne Featherstone and police

A detailed new examination of 999 emergency police call outs released by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats has uncovered a marked deterioration in response times right across the capital.

The Met Police have targets to make sure that all highest priority 999 emergency call outs are responded to within 12 minutes. The figures taken and analysed by the Liberal Democrats from Mayoral Answers, show that:

• The number of highest priority 999 police calls responded to within the target of 12 minutes has fallen from 75.2% in December 2002, to just 70.63% in October 2004

• The Met Police wide average response time has exceeded the 12-minute target for every month of the last year. In the worst month, the target was missed by around 25%, with average response times taking almost 15 minutes

• 19 out of 33 (58%) of Boroughs have slower average emergency response times compared to last year

Hounslow was one of the 5 Boroughs with the poorest record of attending emergency 999 police calls within 12 minutes were:

• Bromley with 44% of callouts outside target

• Waltham Forest with 42% of callouts within target

• Hounslow with 41% of callouts outside target

• Brent with 37% of callouts outside target

• Barking and Dagenham with 36% of callouts outside target

In April 2004, the Met highlighted that it was 1,000 drivers short in London Boroughs.

Commenting on the figures, London Assembly Policing Spokesperson Lynne Featherstone said,

"When faced with an emergency, members of the public have a right to expect the police to get to the scene quickly. What is clear from these figures is that you get a slower service if you live in outer London compared to inner London.

"Poor response times to 999 calls by the police puts the public's safety at risk as a delay in responding to an emergency call could mean the difference between life and death, or catching a criminal and letting them escape.

"The police clearly have a lot of work to do. Londoners will want to know why response times are getting worse when police numbers and investment in policing are up - especially when another significant hike in the police precept on our Council Tax is more than likely."

Liberal Democrats will ensure there are 10,000 more police officers on UK streets to cut down on crime, claims Andrew Dakers, the party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth.

Speaking after the plans were agreed at the recent Liberal Democrat party conference, Andrew Dakers said,

"I have been very impressed by the professionalism of members of the local force I have recently met and are working hard to serve the public. However they are being stretched desperately thin.

"Labour have tried to give the impression they are tough on crime through headline grabbing initiatives. But the reality is that we need more police officers on the streets of Hounslow, Brentford, Isleworth and Chiswick and a boost in the number of Immediate Response Vehicle drivers to make the public safer. It should be recognised that response times in Hounslow suffer particularly from our geography covering a long narrow area between Hammersmith and the Middlesex/Surrey borders.

"I will be seeking a meeting at the earliest opportunity with the new Chief Superintendent of the Met in Hounslow Borough, Dr. Ali Dizaei, to discuss how more people can be recruited and retained in the police force as a whole and within the Hounslow area in particular.

"In the General Election next year, the choices on tackling crime will be clear: the Conservatives' completely uncosted and unbelievable promises they can't deliver, Labour's unworkable gimmicks and headlines, or the Liberal Democrats' plans for more police working more effectively."