Forum Topic

Councillor Guy Lambert should resign and apologize

"going west along King Street it’s now too narrow for a car to overtake a bike (or vice versa) which led to an uncouth youth in a large Audi blowing his horn at me. If I am asymptomatic he may regret his impatience, as I caught up with him at traffic lights and gave him the benefit of my opinion in a strongly projected voice (and no doubt with a side dish of micro droplets)."I read this with genuine incredulity.Lambert may think he is very witty but I doubt the  people who have lost loved ones will think so.I am incenced by this self absorbed man's lack of awareness and, to top it all, the stupidity to crow about it on social media.He should resign and apologise today!

Adrian Irving ● 2344d65 Comments

Audi drivers and cyclists are equally vile so I think we should give Cllr Lambert the benefit on this occasion. Also: what price freedom of expression?

Mike Paterson ● 2344d

Oh, and points deducted for:1) Sense of humour failure.2) The 'lost a loved one' argument.

Mike Paterson ● 2344d

'Audi drivers and cyclists are equally vile'Oh bless another anti on the forum.

Matthew Swain ● 2344d

I understand the CPS is aggressively prosecution anyone who is deliberately sneezing/coughing etc onto someone else with intent. Time in clink is a very real possibility. I think a council official boasting or joking about spreading germs intentionally or otherwise is at best pretty ill conceived and setting a very poor example. I'd suggest he clarifies his post pretty quickly.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

I often see Cllr. Lambert cycling along King Street. Odd given this example it appears he was not using the new temporary cycle lane which, in parts, sits side-by-side the existing cycle lane providing two options for safe cycling. One would think a councillor would lead by example. For mere mortals, signage would come in handy because I can imagine some cyclists claiming ignorance not knowing about the temporary provisions.Also odd is the new temporary cycle lane has required the removal of the widened pavement on the south side put in place at pinch points and to ease social distancing at Iceland for example. At that precise location, I have seen pedestrians forced into the roadway with vehicles and bikes sharing the reduced roadway with the cycle lane empty. Add to that cyclists, e-bikes and e-scooters on the pavement as well.Combined there is reduced pedestrian amenity removing the ability to maintain social distancing with increased facility for cycling that goes unused. If its not used, give it back to pedestrians who we know are there at all times of the day. Seems an imbalance endangering pedestrians in terms of physical safety as well as in terms of avoiding the virus.

David Lesniak ● 2344d

I admire your optimism about this not turning into a cycling squabble ...

Paul Campbell ● 2344d

'Self-absorbed man' - it does rather sound as though you already disliked the guy Adrian.  What's your basis for saying he's 'self-absorbed' - he was asked to write a blog, following in the footsteps of other Brentford councillors who'd previously done exactly the same on TW8, and indeed as Chiswick councillors do on CW4 and have done for years.Reading this particular extract at no point does he imply or suggest that he spat at the driver, merely he told the driver what he thought.  As indeed each and everyone of us has done at some point when we're interacted with another human being we're in disagreement with - as a pedestrian, cyclist or driver if a driver honks at me when I'm not in the wrong they'll get a similar verbal outburst from me.I don't think he's boasting about it, when you read the blog in its entirety he talks about how the works are causing problems for both cyclists and car drivers, and this incident is an example of what can happen.  But yes, the references to potentially being 'asymptomatic' and 'a side dish of micro droplets' aren't necessary or particularly funny, and I'm sure in hindsight he'll think "yeah, that was a pretty daft thing to say".But to resign over it ? - that's way overboard in my opinion.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

Quite agree Adam.  Why on earthy start this petty moan Adrian?  There's enough hot air about without even more pointless messages on here imo.

Jennifer Selig ● 2344d

What's happened to the famed British sense of humour? America's in meltdown, we've got a bunch of 'leaders' who don't seem to know their a*ses from their elbows, or the truth when it bites them on their backsides and someone gets all prissy about this...............Jesus!

Vanessa Smith ● 2344d

Guy is one of my councillors and I voted for him, knowing him to be a decent man. So, no, he shouldn't resign as that would be holding my vote in contempt.Hope this helps.

Susan Kelly ● 2344d

Hardly a resignation issue. This, on the day that millions of people in the UK were disenfranchised when the government stopped MPs voting remotely.

Stewart Jones ● 2344d

He is one of our leaders......He should be holding himself to a higher standard surely?

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

'A higher standard' ?.  Christ, it staggers me sometimes how holier than thou some posters can come across.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

So you think his comments about droplets are acceptable? Computer say's no.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

Err no Rob, I already said otherwise.  But I wasn't getting on my moral high horse to anything like the extent you are.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

So you are getting on your moral high horse a bit then. So we're just arguing about degree then....Apology accepted.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

think some need to take a chill pill, where has your sense of humour gone people, i mean you heard the joke about a chap called Dom Crumbling who broke the rules to drive to test his eyes, now that was funny and he is still running the country. So lets give Guy a break here. Anyways he is a cyclist and the law does not apply to him.

James Smith-Jones ● 2344d

Maybe, although I didn't start 2 threads about this, didn't suggest he should resign, didn't start talking about "higher standards" or such like, I just said that I'm sure in hindsight he'd agree this was a daft thing to have said - which in my view is a world away from the 'holier than thou' tone of the former."Apology accepted "- I don't understand who/what that comment is directed at, unless Guy has already apoligised.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

'Audi drivers and cyclists are equally vile'I'm both. Doubly vile.

Ken Munn ● 2344d

This was done 'tongue in cheek' - hardly  on the level of Cummings is it?

Vanessa Smith ● 2344d

I haven't started 2 threads on it or called for his resignation either. I suggested he might want to clarify what he wrote, because it reads very badly. I do think an elected official putting something into the public domain in an official capacity should be a lot more careful about what they write (and do) and yes any elected official should be held more to account for what they do and say. Hounslow council have taken to emailing me every week about Covid (no idea how i opted in to that), telling me what i should and shouldn't do. Guy is part of that administration and should be promoting good practice not 'joking' about bad. Out of interest, is it Audi or BMW drivers who are regarded as the worst now? I thought it was the latter, but I'm a bit out of date on the current feeling. And my bad, I thought you were apologising.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

I love the line "he may live to regret etc."Yeah, well let's hope so, on the other hand he may not and never know which moron thought it OK to bellow in his face. OK, if his action wasn't enough to resign maybe he will be man enough to apologise for being a complete idiot.Let's see.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

'I'm both. Doubly vile.'Always knew there was something dodgy about you!!

Vanessa Smith ● 2344d

Indeed you haven't posted 2 threads, I was commenting generally upon what in my view is the holier than thou attitude that permeates through some of the posts on this thread.All Guy has really said is that someone instigated abit of verbals with him, which was directly relevant to the context of that part of the blog.  And arguably the point Guy is making is that it isn't wise to instigate such verbals given the current situation, which is actually a perfectly valid point.  It just isn't a big deal, and it genuinely staggers me that some posters think otherwise, unless they are motivated by a pre-existing dislike for Cllr. Lambert or his party (and yes in my personal view there are several posters on here whose thoughts and opinions are completely tainted by their political colour). I did think your 'apology accepted' closing was directed at me, but I was kind of hoping otherwise, I've got nothing to apologise for in this regard and quite frankly I find it quite arrogant that anyone would finish a post like that.  Still, it takes all sorts ;-)

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

I forgot, the wonky wheel, you'll have to read his blog to get the full saga.Basically he  had expert advice from the Hammersmith bike shop that his wonky wheel was down to a split frame and was beyond repair. However this chap thought it OK to ride into Central London and back on his wonky wheel.Anyone who knows anything about bikes would realise that if you accidentally hit a pothole the whole wheel could colapse, maybe with an angry Audi up your backside.Not too clever.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Sorry if i appeared arrogant, clearly attempts at humour and tongue in cheek comments can be misconstrued. I don't really know much about the Cllr and I'm pretty sure i'd have a similar opinion if it was published by someone from a different political party. Anyway, sorry Adam.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

A 'wonky' wheel is simply a rim that is slightly buckled.  It's not a death trap, and it has nothing to do with the frame of a bike.  You couldn't physically ride a bike if it had a seriously buckled wheel.  The guy in the shop advised getting a new wheel, but he didn't say it was beyond repair ("I can fix it for now").So you're exaggerating Adrian, and it really sounds as though you have some kind of pre-existing axe to grind with Cllr. Lambert.FWIW although I've never actually met him in a 1 on 1 scenario (only when I've been speaking at a planning committee meeting he was sitting on) I have occasionally had email dialogue with him about non-planning matters, both prior to and since he became a Councillor, and I've always found him to be a decent and affable chap.  Same with his blogs, for me I usually like his humour and how he doesn't getting completely carried away with attempts at political point scoring (something I can't always say about the Councillor blogs on CW4).  And yes I did vote for him last time around, although as someone who really isn't any political colour I mainly did so because I had the misfortune to encounter an utterly pompous idiot of an individual on polling day who turned out to be a Tory candidate, which galvanised me into taking a small step to trying to ensure that idiot didn't get elected

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

So did I!

Ken Munn ● 2344d

No worries Rob, as you say it is sometimes difficult to convey humour etc. in a post.And yes again just to be clear I wasn't suggesting you or indeed any other poster on this particular thread was swayed by a political allegiance - that's more something I see on other threads.At least we seem to have avoided any driver/cyclist debates !.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

" a bit wonky and found a broken spoke. There’s a place in King Street which fixes things like that while you wait, but the man said the rim is beginning to split and whilst he can fix it for now I really need a new wheel. I ask him what would be the best wheel for a man of my avoirdupois. He looked at me doubtfully, "Adam, read his blog if you haven't so far,the rim was starting to split, not slightly buckled, clearly sufficiently for other riders to point it out to him.For me there is nothing political or personal about this but about the astonishingly stupid blog.You are of course free to disagree, but please stick to facts about me if you must, not assumptions.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

I get quite a lot of feedback on my blog, 99% positive. I am a human as well as a councillor, cyclist and driver and have been known on occasion to respond vigorously (always verbally) to an act of aggression.I use cycle lanes when they make sense and are clear. The ones in that part of King street are far from clear (though they have been widened now) and I have seen cycles going in opposite directions in the same one bike wide cycle lane.I do not have COVID and if I did I would be isolating, however like anybody else it's possible I am asymptomatic.A minority of drivers treat cyclists with contempt: I imagine that might apply to some of those who post so vituperatively on this forum. The driver of the said Audi was one such. On occasion I like to respond and hopefully they will learn a bit of respect, as is shown by the vast majority of road users (other than when it comes to not driving in painted cycle lanes and not respecting advanced stop lines)The wonkiness of the wheel became apparent as I returned from my exercise. The man in the cycle shop said it was quite safe to ride upon whilst I waited for a replacement, though because I am cautious I have been using my reserve bike until yesterday when the new wheel was fitted. But of course I should consult the anti-cycling campaigners on this forum who will be far more knowledgeable about bicycle safety than professionals  who are experts and whom I should obviously therefore ignore. I will not resign, nor will I apologise. I have published 243 weekly blogs and had 3 complaints, all of which involved a reaction to a tongue-in-cheek comment. They are published every week on BrentfordTW8.com and on Brentford Councillors Facebook page and they are generally light-hearted. Occasionally I will offend someone of delicate sensibilities or stimulate somebody's inner rage, which is regrettable, but most people seem to appreciate the blog.

Guy Lambert ● 2344d

Clever how you have now diverted post this into a driver/ cyclist argument Guy.Are you really are so self absorbed that you really can't see what you have done?Dear God, words fail me. Actually they don't but why should I waste them on someone who clearly can't reflect with any regret.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Adrian, I did repeatly say that it sounds as though you have a pre-existing axe to grind, as have others, I never said you definitely did and clearly from your post you don't.Personally I think you're totally over-reacting, but as you say we're all free to agree or disagree.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

Adam, "sounds" as opposed "definitely"That's the difference between assumption and fact.I am going to take the opportunity to say I think local government suffers from party politics and should be restructured to work like a successful company not opposing factons.I never vote for a party, always for a person no matter their political strip.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Oh my giddy aunt. I can say that Guy is a very good Councillor, far more active - from what I can make out - than many. I may not always 100% agree with his decisions but, for one, find his blogs rather entertaining. As Boris would say, time to 'move on' from this. Run along now, boys and girls.

Anne England ● 2344d

" As Boris would say, time to 'move on' from this. Run along now, boys and girls."Why was he so keen to" move on" Anne do you think?  Nothing to do with awkward questions then.My God if you have to use the Boris defence then you really are in trouble.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

I don't think anyone is defending anything - I imagine Anne - like me - is trying to understand what all the fuss is about, given the current state of affairs in the land. This was a couple of innocuous throwaway remarks, no more, no less.

Vanessa Smith ● 2344d

Got it in one, Vanessa.

Anne England ● 2344d

Are you still trying to shut down this thread just because you disagree with me? Move on,and have a word with yourself about letting others have their say whether you agree with it or not.By the way this is not about if he does a good job or not or rides a bike it's about how stupid he has been to potentially spread the virus.Maybe the driver was a dickhead but that is no reason to bellow at the other guy and then mews about him regreting his actions if he gets the virus.Still, there is none so blind that will not see.Feel free to disagree but please don't try to shut me up.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

muse not mews.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Is resign and apologise enough?Hanging is far too good for him - a public flogging then a ISIS style beheading on Turnham Green is the minimum deterrent called for - after all where would we be if everyone made jocular remarks in their blogs?

Will Watson ● 2344d

Okay Adrian, so as you've moved the goalposts and it's not about what he wrote on his blog but about his actual actions, at no point in your life have you ever had a verbal disagreement with anyone ?.Are you really saying that if someone did something that caused you distress, fear, alarm or panic (which a driver sounding their horn in close proximity to a cyclist or pedestrian is likely to do) you would be so conscious of the present situation that you wouldn't exchange annoyed/cross words with them and just ignore them when afew second later you found yourself next to that person  at a set of traffic lights ?.  If so then you're a better man than me.It's also quite possible (and more likely in my experience) that the Audi driver would have been the one who started the verbals after honking their horn, not the other way round, in which case he'd have been the stupid one potentially giving the virus to Guy.As I've said from the outset writing about it in the way he did on his blog probably wasn't one of his wisest moments, but your interpretation of his blog seems to be that there was this Audi driver who honked their horn and then never sought any further interaction, only for this aggressive individual to bang on the Audi's window and bellowing at him from a matter of centimetres away from his face whilst 'gobbing' all over the Audi driver.No-one is trying to shut you up, and when you write "there is none so blind that will not see" that could equally apply to you.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

Will, not a very constructive comment is it? If you have something sensible to say against my thoughts please feel free.This one has gone straight into my virtual Room 101

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

They'll have made that cycle lane permanent so that there are no more altercations like this before you stop digging Adrian.

Paul Campbell ● 2344d

FFS chill out lads. He made an off the cuff remark and has taken the time to give you an explanation and quite frankly my dears i don't know what the fuss is all about. If you want a proper rant then have a go at the current lot in charge, incompetent, liars, play by their own rules, the list goes on. See my little theory is they are relaxing everything now as they have made a complete hash thus far, and when the fan gets blocked in a few months time, it will be our fault.

James Smith-Jones ● 2344d

te/Time: 03/06/20 17:00:00Okay Adrian, so as you've moved the goalposts and it's not about what he wrote on his blog but about his actual actions, at no point in your life have you ever had a verbal disagreement with anyone ?.What he wrote in his blog was reporting his actions so one and the same thing.Are you really saying that if someone did something that caused you distress, fear, alarm or panic (which a driver sounding their horn in close proximity to a cyclist or pedestrian is likely to do) you would be so conscious of the present situation that you wouldn't exchange annoyed/cross words with them and just ignore them when afew second later you found yourself next to that person  at a set of traffic lights ?.  If so then you're a better man than me.Perhaps I have learnt to be a little less volatile than you and avoid confrontation on the road.It's also quite possible (and more likely in my experience) that the Audi driver would have been the one who started the verbals after honking their horn, not the other way round, in which case he'd have been the stupid one potentially giving the virus to Guy.I glad you agree that either way round they would have been stupid. Progress.As I've said from the outset writing about it in the way he did on his blog probably wasn't one of his wisest moments, but your interpretation of his blog seems to be that there was this Audi driver who honked their horn and then never sought any further interaction, only for this aggressive individual to bang on the Audi's window and bellowing at him from a matter of centimetres away from his face whilst 'gobbing' all over the Audi driver.Again you paragraph above is based on assumtions. Correct me if I am wrong but I have never said anything material that hasn't been a direct comment on what he stated on his blog.No-one is trying to shut you up, and when you write "there is none so blind that will not see" that could equally apply to you.I think you must have missed Anne's post when it clearly told me to "move on" or put as intended, shut up.Finally I must say I admire your imagined reconstruction of the incident based on nothing but of previous your experience on the highway.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Pleased to hear that Paul. I rode along it today however it is unclear if it is one way or not on the south side and confusing on the north.No doubt done in a rush and will be clearer when done properly.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Best to leave it there Adrian as we're getting nowhere and I've no desire to 'fall out' with anyone about what I regard as a triviality (but which you clearly don't) - sometimes it is best to agree to disagree.

Adam Beamish ● 2344d

OK Adam however I do get very angry when people in authority make crass remarks or blandly mislead us with untruths.We have a truly appalling death rate in no small part due to the incompetence of government both local and national.I make no apology for giving this chap both barrels when he thinks it's clever to report his stupid actions as quoted below; "If I am asymptomatic he may regret his impatience, as I caught up with him at traffic lights and gave him the benefit of my opinion in a strongly projected voice (and no doubt with a side dish of micro droplets)."

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Guy Lambert made two observations :a) Whenever anyone, himself included, becomes involved in animated conversation they project droplets.This is an established fact. Although admittedly notsomething which was on most peoples minds until a fewmonths ago.b) Were it the case that anyone, himself included who was so engaged in such a conversation were asymptomatic carriers of Covid 19, then there'sa possibility that totally *inadvertantly* they could infect the person they're addressing.Once more an established fact.Are you saying that either or both of these observations are incorrect ?If not, what possible reason can you have foryour insulting personal remarks; or for your ludicrous demands for an apology and a resignation ?michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2344d

Sorry Michael,I expect you know what you are trying to say but I find it difficult to follow.BTW the only established facts are what is said in the blog on which I have made my views more than clear. If you disagree, fine.Finally I have no intention to rise to your provocative remarks.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

You are obviously very upset by Councillor Guy Lambert's blog - at least the bit you are referring to - and are quite possibly upset that you haven't had the response to your original post which you wished for or expected. Fair enough but is there anything more to be said?

Anne England ● 2344d

Disappointed? Perhaps.Surprised? Not at all.I have said I needed to but still content to respond to posts such as yours Anne.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Adrian Irving explained" I find it difficult to follow."It's very simple. Guy Lambert stated two facts:a) When engaged in heated conversation peopleproject droplets.b) If they're asymptomatic carriers, then there'sa possibility they might infect the person they'retalking to.So do you agree that those statements are true ?Yes or no ?And if you agree that they're true, then what possible justification could you have for describing Guy Lambert as being stupid and lacking self awareness, and demanding he apologise and resign ?And no as it happens Mr Irving you haven't made your views clear at all. For in order to do so, you'd need to justify your remarks in some way : which thus far at least, you have conspicuously failed to do. michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2344d

Michael, what did you not understand about the last line of my earlier reply to you?

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Here's what you posted about Guy Lambert on a public forum " I am incenced by this self absorbed man's lack of awareness and, to top it all, the stupidity to crow about it on social media."You have yet to justify those insulting remarks.It really is as simple as that. Possibly as an elected representative, Guy Lambert feels he has no real alternative but to take it on the chinno matter whatever ignorant remarks are directedat him.Basically Mr Irving, it's because of people like you, that so few really able people are willing to putthemselves forward for election to public office. Leaving the field open to brass-necked incompetents such as Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and their ilk.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 2344d

As someone who cycles most days, I totally get Guy's need to express his views to the aggressive motorist. I'm pretty confident that before this reflex action, he didn't think 'I might be asymptomatic. If I know have a rant at this driver, I might infect him'. It's what's known as an afterthought Adrian.

David Roberts ● 2344d

David, I to used to cycle most days into Central London and get where you are coming from however I have found it a lot better and safer to control the red mist rather than confront a person who is clearly aggressive.It seems the height of stupidity to do so particularly at this dangerous and stressful time.The fact is Guy said the person was heavy on the horn, big deal,he's an impatient idiot,that's it, unless there is more to this than we have been told of course.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

Possibly my final thought.We don't know why the driver was seemingly impatient and it is unfair of me to assume he was an idiot.For all we know he had responding to an emergency or the like.I accept this is unlikely but we only have one side of the story don't we.

Adrian Irving ● 2344d

If any of you lot knew Guy he's one of the nicest men you could wish for.

Viv Griffiths ● 2344d

There are a lot of impatient drivers who like to sit behind you and hit the horn if you don't rush.  It makes me spend longer as a matter of principle because I refuse to be rushed into making a hurried and possibly bad decision.  And that's in a car.  It would be worse if I was on a bike!Anybody can be asymptomatic - 6 min:https://www.minghella.com/not-catching-covid-audio-essay/

Philippa Bond ● 2344d

" because I refuse to be rushed into making a hurried and possibly bad decision.  And that's in a car.  It would be worse if I was on a bike! "Yes it could be a lot worst on a bike with less means of escape. The other driver could be violent and you could be in for a lot of trouble. Road rage can and does kill as does the virus. Neither care  about your principles or how " in the right" you are.Why not just let them go when it is safe to do so? One day it will end in tears.

Adrian Irving ● 2343d

good morning Chiswick, birds are tweeting and my roses are smelling wonderful while enjoying a nice cup of fresh coffee in my garden. Just taking it all in and looking forward to what today brings.

James Smith-Jones ● 2343d

"far more active - from what I can make out - than many."Not difficult for someone so egotistical and speaks volumes of the other Councillors and their lack of interest once elected and drawing the stipend.

Steve Taylor ● 2341d

"that so few really able people are willing to putthemselves forward for election to public office."Nonsense. There are very many egotists more than willing to put themselves forward to draw a stipend and not have to earn it.

Steve Taylor ● 2341d