Labour's Video Tsunami and Tom Hardy on SotG with a Machine Gun
Chiswick Riverside councillor Peter Thompson reports back
Cllr Peter Thompson
March 27, 2026
It’s been another busy week in Chiswick Riverside. I’ve been out meeting residents, dealing with local concerns, and supporting community events. Once again, I’m reminded there’s never really a quiet week in local politics.
Out on the campaign trail: listening to residents
Now that the local election campaign is underway, I’ve been spending a lot of time across the ward talking to residents with Gabriella and Jessika. As always, people are bringing up the issues that matter most in daily life—the basics a council should get right. We keep hearing the same concerns: potholes, poor road repairs, dirty streets, fly-tipping, patchy maintenance, and the sense that residents are paying more but getting less.
That message is clear. People want the council to focus less on spin and more on the things they notice every day in their neighbourhoods. This brings me to something else many residents have been talking about this week.
Labour’s “video tsunami”
You may have noticed a sudden wave of polished promotional videos from Hounslow Council.
A series of professionally made videos has come out quickly, featuring the Leader and Cabinet Members, just before the official pre-election period starts. Many residents are asking: is this truly neutral council communication, or does it seem more like a last publicity push for those in charge?
It’s important to remember there’s a difference between councils keeping residents informed and what many see as campaign-style self-promotion using council channels and public resources. This isn’t only about whether something looks awkward before pre-election restrictions begin. Councils have a legal duty to avoid publishing material that appears designed to influence support for a political party. So, it’s not just about timing; it’s also about purpose, presentation, and the right use of public resources.
That’s why I’ve formally raised this with the Monitoring Officer. The main questions are straightforward: how much officer time and public money went into making these videos? Who approved them? What public-interest purpose do they serve? And should senior Labour politicians be featured so prominently in council-funded communications right now? No one is saying councils should stop communicating with residents; they absolutely should. But there’s a clear line between informing the public and using taxpayer-funded channels in a way that appears to be political promotion.
A serious incident in Chiswick
This week, there was a serious incident in the ward: a non-fatal stabbing involving two Year 11 Chiswick School pupils on the St Thomas’ Estate near Sutton Court Road. This was deeply shocking news for the community, especially for families with children at local schools. Our thoughts are with those affected and with the wider school community as they come to terms with what happened.
As a teacher myself, I know firsthand how incidents like this can affect a school community. Even when injuries are not fatal, the emotional impact on pupils, staff, and parents can be very significant. Schools work very hard to create a safe and calm environment for young people, and when something like this happens, it affects many more than just those directly involved. Our thoughts are with everyone at Chiswick School.
It’s also a sobering reminder that knife crime is still a real and serious problem in London. Too many families worry about the risks young people face, and incidents like this bring that fear painfully close to home.
I also want to thank the police for their quick response, which led to three arrests. At times like this, visible and effective local policing is so important, and the speed of their response will have reassured many residents. There will be more to say in time, but for now, the priority is to support the school community and allow the police investigation to continue.
Strand on the Green River clean-up
On a much brighter note, it was great to join Gabriella and Jessika for the Strand on the Green river clean-up this week. Strand on the Green is one of the most special parts of our borough, and it’s always encouraging to see local people come out to help care for it. Community clean-ups like this show that local pride is alive and well, and when residents work together, they can make a real difference. These events may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they say a lot about the kind of community Chiswick is.
L-R, Cllr Gabriella Giles, Jessika Toto-Moukouo and Cllr Peter Thompson
A night off—sort of
It was also nice, in a way, to have what counted as a night off and join members of the Strand on the Green Association and Grove Park Group for their spring drinks at The Bull’s Head on Strand-on-the-Green. Events like this are always enjoyable, especially because they bring together so many people who care about the local area. There’s always a good conversation about what’s happening, what needs protecting, and what we should keep working towards.
Of course, in Chiswick, even a night off usually includes local issues, campaigns, and at least one chat about planning, parking, or potholes. But that’s part of the job, and honestly, part of the fun.
Only in Strand on the Green...
We’re getting used to film crews showing up on Strand-on-the-Green these days.
The MobLand crew were back again this week, with road closures, big crowds, and of course, me hanging around hoping to spot someone famous.
I spoke with one of the traffic officers, who explained that they have to be there whenever fake weapons are used. He said it made a nice change from dealing with road accidents!
Later on, I saw Tom Hardy himself, fully in character with a machine gun, looking every bit the dangerous gangster. Like a complete idiot, I gave him a little wave. To his credit, he gave me a faintly amused, slightly menacing smile in return—or at least that’s what I like to think. Not every councillor can say they’ve exchanged pleasantries with an armed gangster on Strand-on-the-Green.
As Easter approaches…
As we approach Easter, my thoughts are with everyone who will be celebrating this most important Christian festival. As a teacher, Easter normally feels like a well-earned chance to catch my breath after a long term. This year, with the local election campaign now in full swing, I suspect it may not be quite as restful as I’d like — but I certainly won’t complain. Whatever the next few weeks bring, Easter remains a time of hope, renewal and fresh beginnings.
Wishing everyone in Chiswick a peaceful and happy Easter.
Cllr Peter Thompson
peter.thompson@hounslow.gov.uk
07977 395810
DEMOCRACY: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Anyone can attend public meetings of the council. Most meetings take place on the 6th Floor, Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, TW3 3EB. Hounslow House is fully accessible. The nearest tube is Hounslow Central which does not have step-free access. Parking in local roads is limited.
Principal meetings are broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel
Emergencies
You can report emergencies outside office hours by ringing the council on: 020 8583 2222.
CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library (the seven 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 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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