From Mussolini to Milk Theft: Just Another Week in Chiswick
Chiswick Riverside councillor Peter Thompson reports back
Cllr Peter Thompson
June 1, 2025
Reopening Chiswick Post Office Shouldn’t Take This Long
Like many of you, I’ve been frustrated, and frankly baffled, by the ongoing closure of Chiswick Post Office. It’s now been weeks since the doors shut, with no public explanation, no confirmed reopening date and a growing sense that our community is being left in the dark.
This isn’t just about missed parcels. It’s about elderly residents who now struggle to access essential services. It’s about small businesses who rely on that counter. And it’s about basic fairness. Chiswick is a major town centre and we deserve a working post office.
Thousands of people have signed our petition and we know that number will keep rising. That’s why my fellow Conservative councillors and I have called for an urgent meeting with Post Office HQ. We’ve also put forward a practical proposal: allowing the postmaster to share the space with another business, which would help cover the rent and keep the service viable.
Over the weekend, Conservative activists were out blitzing Chiswick with leaflets to raise awareness of the campaign. We’re determined to make sure residents’ voices are heard loud and clear.
This should be a no-brainer. We’ve tried to be constructive. We just want to see urgency, clarity, and above all, action. Because when a service is this important to a community, silence isn’t good enough.
If you haven’t yet signed our petition, please follow this link.
Planning Reform: Why I’m Torn
As a councillor I’ve spent many hours of my life at Chiswick Town Hall and the old Civic Centre debating kitchen extensions, loft conversions and small developments. These might seem minor, but they matter to neighbours. That’s why I’ve always believed elected representatives should have a say in shaping local communities.
So I’m torn about the government’s new plans to sideline councillors from most planning decisions.
Under proposals out this week, applications from homeowners and developments of up to nine homes will bypass planning committees entirely. In London, that could rise to 50 homes. Even larger schemes will only be considered by councillors if the chair and chief officer both agree.
The goal is to speed up housing delivery. Planning delays are frustrating and officers can competently handle straightforward cases. With the housing crisis worsening, something has to change.
But local democracy matters. Planning isn’t just technical, it’s personal. Residents feel heard when councillors listen and act. Taking that away could erode trust and reduce accountability. Officers don’t answer to the public. Councillors do.
Ultimately, I think this reform needs careful balancing. I see the merit in making the system faster and more predictable. However, I also believe that there should always be space for democratic input when developments affect people’s everyday lives.
So yes, I’m torn. But I’ll keep speaking up for transparency, fairness, and the voices of local people, wherever that line is drawn.
Why Councillors in the Same Party Don’t Always Agree
I’ve noticed that some residents find it surprising when councillors from the same political party take different views on local issues. Some are quick to label it as division and see it as an opportunity to score political points. You are a team, elected on a shared manifesto, surely you should all think and vote same way?
Well no, local government isn’t quite that simple and that’s a good thing.
As councillors, our first responsibility is to the people who elected us. That means listening to our communities. If some residents are angry about - insert local issue - it’s only right their councillor reflects that even if their colleagues support the same policy.
In the Conservative Group, very few votes are “whipped”. On many local matters, planning decisions, parking rules and community projects, we are free to vote according to our judgement and the needs of their ward.
So, if you see councillors from the same party voting differently or arguing their case, don’t be alarmed. It’s not division. It’s democracy in action.
Who Steals Milk from Children?
Walking down Chiswick High Road this week it was upsetting to see this little poster fasten to a bollard and realise that kind of behaviour happening in our community. Stealing milk from a children's nursery isn’t just petty crime, it’s shameless and heartless. Nurseries like Fairyland do vital work for local families, and they shouldn't have to deal with this kind of repeated theft.
If anyone has information about this individual, please contact the nursery or the police. Chiswick Gunnersbury Councillors Jo and Ron have already raised this with the local police team to ensure extra attention is given to this case and to increase patrols in the area.
This incident is a reminder of how important it is to look out for one another, especially the youngest members of our community.
From Mussolini to the Council Chamber: When History Repeats (Sort of)
It’s been a week of political drama here in Chiswick, one that, oddly enough, mirrors my attempts to help my daughter with her A Level history revision a little too well.
Events brought to mind the Italian liberal era’s favourite pastime before Mussolini took over: trasformismo, the fine art of switching sides when it suits you, dressed up as statesmanship. Just like Giolitti's deputies, it seems some councillors are keen to keep a foot in every camp, minus the opera and the moustaches.
From Germany, there’s the unfortunate parallel with the “stab in the back” myth. Some residents are already murmuring that recent events feels like a betrayal of the local Conservative vote, though, thankfully, no one’s blaming communists, yet.
And then there are the Tudors. Henry VII faced plenty of rebellions, but at least his opponents had the decency to carry banners and pitch up in battle. These days, all it takes is a choreographed stunt at Borough Council, a press release and a well-timed photo with the Leader of the Council.
In all seriousness, defections are part of politics. But as someone revising the chaos of Weimar, the opportunism of liberal Italy and the rebellions of 16th-century England, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of déjà vu.
Cllr Peter Thompson
peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk
07977 395810
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2025
Anyone can attend public meetings of the council at Hounslow House which is fully accessible. Most meetings take place on the 6th floor of Hounslow House which is at 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB.
Council Meetings - Borough Council
- Monday, 9 June at 7.00pm - Overview and Scrutiny Committee
- Thursday, 12 June at 7.00pm - Planning Committee
- Tuesday, 17 June at 7.00pm - Cabinet
- 22 July 2025 7:30 pm - Borough Council
There is public access for these meetings via a direct lift from the ground floor to the Council Meeting Room
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Council Meetings – Audit and Governance Committee
- 15 July 2025 7.00pm
- 4 Nov 2025 7:00 pm
6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB
Important Current Local Issues
During weekends and regular Public Holidays, residents can still access council services on-line or via emergency numbers:
To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the eight Conservative councillors take this surgery in turn).
Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle Way, off The Ridgeway, W3 8LU (at least one of the Chiswick Gunnersbury ward councillors takes this surgery).
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS and CONTACTS
Chiswick Gunnersbury ward
Cllr Joanna Biddolph joanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 703446
Cllr Ranjit Gill ranjit.gill@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702956
Cllr Ron Mushiso ron.mushiso@hounslow.gov.uk 07976 702887
Chiswick Homefields ward
Cllr Jack Emsley jack.emsley@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 396017
Cllr Gerald McGregor gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784821
Cllr John Todd john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk 07866 784651
Chiswick Riverside ward
Cllr Gabriella Giles gabriella.giles@hounslow.gov.uk 07966 270823
Cllr Peter Thompson peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk 07977 395810
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