Forum Topic

Cllr Biddolph ousted as leader of Hounslow Conservatives

https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/chiswick-conservative-councillors-elect-new-leader/

Michael Robinson ● 2285d83 Comments

Maybe we will see Tory Councillors now being more supportive of the Tory Government anti-Covid measures?

Will Watson ● 2285d

This is good news for Chiswick. Councillor Biddolph seemed increasingly to be leading an opposition pressure group and had an extremely confrontational style and strong and fixed ideas. Many of us want the same thing, for the place we live in to be thriving, beautiful, stimulating, peaceful, healthy and pleasant. Many congratulations to Gerald McGregor.

Edward Seaton ● 2285d

What next, home rule for Bedford Park,

Bernard Allen ● 2285d

Very good news. Very difficult to ever make progress with someone so out of touch at the helm.

Tony Smart ● 2285d

Very good news for Chiswick and the other Councillors. The article only misses the time that the ousted leader aided Russian interference in British politics. Supporters have often said that the Councillor “works hard”; a classic case of damning with faint praise.

Paul Campbell ● 2285d

I am not sure the replacement of Cllr Biddolph by Cllr McGregor is an improvement. Both suffer from an inability to make their points concisely and clearly. The local government boundary changes which will apply at the local elections in 2022 may make Turnham Green and Riverside wards more marginal while consolidating Conservative support in Homefields. That may be the underlying motive.

David McLoughlin ● 2285d

Wasn't it McGregor who said that the motor car was mankind's greatest invention? Personally, I'd have plumped for something like antibiotics or birth control or vaccines or Tornedos Rossini..

Ken Munn ● 2285d

My mole said it was more about personality than policy. The forthrightness that made her a target for the unpleasant group that ganged up on her on social media also rubbed some of her colleagues up the wrong way but, if anything they have less nuanced and more hostile views on cycleways and traffic restrictions. She is probably a victim of 'that difficult bloody woman' syndrome which has blighted Tory attempts to increase female representation in more senior positions.I can't say I agree with many of her views but she is prodigiously committed to her role and work ethic is probably more important than political persuasion in local politics. She seems to have worked hard to broaden the appeal and raise the profile of local councillors and her Task Force report was a testament to her commitment to the area. I doubt not having what is largely a ceremonial position will make her a less effective councillor.

Paul Corcoran ● 2284d

It's a fact women have to work much harder at anything to be appreciated and she certainly live up to that and did her bit, business in Chiswick are losing a genuine supporter.

Janice Evans ● 2284d

Will it affect the neighbourhood programme to transform South Chiswick.

Janice Evans ● 2284d

Doubt it. The Tories have little power within the Borough, except to oppose.

Ken Munn ● 2284d

Janice, there is no reason Cllr Biddolph can't carrying on working what she considers the best interest of Chiswick shops. In practical terms this means little other than she may get a slightly lower allowance and it is a bit of a snub from her colleagues.

Paul Corcoran ● 2284d

It would be a little awkward for her now.

Janice Evans ● 2284d

Perhaps but remember she ousted Sam Hearn and they seemed to be able to work together with no apparent problem. It's no exactly Game of Thrones!

Paul Corcoran ● 2284d

'It's a fact women have to work much harder at anything to be appreciated and she certainly live up to that and did her bit,'It's also a fact that no matter how mediocre a man is it never stops them from rising through the ranks in politics  - think Chris Grayling. Women are held to a far higher standard and much more scrutiny, although I cannot comment on Ms. Biddulph as I don't know her.

Vanessa Smith ● 2284d

What a shame - she was so awful I was looking forward to seeing a seat going to Lib or Lab next time.But McGregor? I think he should prove even more right wing and incompetent.Next they'll be inviting back that BNP one to be leader.

Richard Potts ● 2284d

In general  you are probably right, Vanessa and Janice. The cabinet is full of  mediocre  and actually incompetent men. However, the women currently in the top jobs like Patel, Truss and Whateley are certainly no more ‘talented’ than their counterparts.

Stewart Jones ● 2284d

If the cabinet is ‘full of mediocre and actually incompetent men’ - and I think it is - I wonder what qualities they possess that got them these jobs in the first place?  Something to reflect on.

Alastair Banton ● 2284d

There is a simple response, but I won't say it on here.

Claire Moran ● 2284d

Ok, I'll help. The cabinet is full of people who committed to Boris & Dominic that, whatever the outcome, they'd support him. Primarily of course in terms of Brexit, they would support any outcome. So the cabinet selection was about willingness to say 'yes' and that was the only skill and competence sought.

Alan Clark ● 2284d

Exactly right.

Stewart Jones ● 2284d

They don't waste time trying to discredit anyone in opposition which is greatly appreciated.

Janice Evans ● 2284d

"It's also a fact that no matter how mediocre a man is it never stops them from rising through the ranks in politics  - think Chris Grayling."Or indeed Jeremy Corbyn. "Women are held to a far higher standard and much more scrutiny.."Presumably why the Labour Party ignored the qualities of the four female candidates for leader (of which two were excellent) in favour of the one middle-aged white male.

Richard Greenhough ● 2284d

It applies to both parties equally but we are now lumbered with a cabinet appointed purely on devotion to Cummings and Brexit and nothing to do with ability.

Stewart Jones ● 2284d

Trust the local Tory boy (RG) to veer right off the discussion to have his usual pop at the Labour party. Sad sod.

Vanessa Smith ● 2284d

He's making valid comparisons, quite acceptable.

Janice Evans ● 2284d

It’s almost as if Tories forget how long they have been in power

Stewart Jones ● 2284d

Vanessa, you chose to veer off the discussion to have a pop at Chris Grayling, so this is a case of the biter bit. I won't dignify you by exchanging personal insults.

Richard Greenhough ● 2284d

My response was about 'mediocre men' - I needed to back that up with an example, and I'm sorry that your dear party has such a moron in it. I would also never defend the idiots who populate the Labour party - God alone knows we have enough local examples.

Vanessa Smith ● 2284d

he Greatest Inventions In The Past 1000 Years Invention Year Inventor Notes1 Printing Press 1450 Johannes Gutenberg allowed literacy to greatly expand2 Electric Light 1879 Thomas Edison powered countless social changes3 Automobile 1885 Karl Benz increased personal mobility and freedom4 Telephone 1876 Alexander Graham Bell spread communication across wide areas5 Radio and Television 1895 & 1926 Guglielmo Marconi & John Baird made the world smaller6 Vaccination 1796 Edward Jenner protected people from disease7 Computer 1939 John Atanasoff, et al. transformed business world; predecessor to the Internet8 Airplane 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright allowed people and products to quickly move9 Gas powered tractor 1892 John Froelich started agricultural mechanization10 Anesthesia 1844 Horace Wells provided a great leap forward for medicine

Steve Taylor ● 2284d

Steve I think we are talking about men in politics, not in general - you cannot generalise - but politics does seem to attract some spineless gits...............

Vanessa Smith ● 2284d

Vanessa "but politics does seem to attract some spineless gits..............."You omitted to also say 'machiavellian' and I can think of circa four of those very close to home.... 😉

Loraine Pemberton ● 2284d

Certainly not based on talent or ability. Just based on the level of unquestioning support to their great leader(s). Hence why they ran around like headless chickens when both Johnson and Cummings were in hospital and Durham respectively.

Paul Scullion ● 2284d

"Steve I think we are talking about men in politics, not in general"Yes indeed my post was out of context. I was actually replying to Ken Munn who was having a pop at Cllr McGregor for allegedly saying that the invention of the motor vehicle was the best invention ever.  I was pointing out that it is in fact the 3rd top invention so Cllr McGregor wasn't far off. The Cycling brigade were quick to jump on this thread because of their intense and bullying dislike of Cllr Biddolph due to her anti CS9 stance.  Hence they are peeing in their lycra to learn that she has lost the leadership.

Steve Taylor ● 2283d

Steve, indeed, and there's  something rather unsavoury and of the night about the comments from the likes of Robinson, Watson, Campbell, Smart and Seaton.  However, I'd  remind them of that well known phrase "better the devil you know..."Btw Michael, if only the woman at Chiswick Calendar would for once indulge us in accurate reporting instead of what's she's been spoon fed, we can only hope for integrity in her future reporting  🤞

Loraine Pemberton ● 2283d

If the new leader is accurately quoted in the front page article, I don't disagree with anything he says.

Claire Moran ● 2283d

50 labour councillors desperately trying to turn Chiswick into Hounslow East.Despise them.

Peter Brown ● 2283d

A handful of Tory councillors desperately trying to make  excuses for their party leader who is a bumbling oaf who said, F***k business. Despise them.

Stewart Jones ● 2283d

Agreed another Clown...is that Racist Naz ShahNT still in the reasonable Mr Kiers Party?

Peter Brown ● 2283d

Your google broken?

Stewart Jones ● 2283d

Ha ha Ms Biddolph may have Machiavellian detractors but her bigger problem is her fan club.Pemberton - er that's it.

Will Watson ● 2283d

Remember too that her 'electorate' was LBH's other Con councillors, not any of us lot. They must have judged that someone else could do a better job of leading them.

Ken Munn ● 2283d

"something rather unsavoury and of the night about the comments from the likes of Robinson, Watson, Campbell, Smart and Seaton"Don't forget Jeremy Vine and his celebration.Maybe the women can help me out. What is it when a group of rich, middle-aged white guys gang up on a woman?Toxic masculinity?Locker room talk?Let's see if the same rigorous "scrutiny" gets piled on Cllr McGregor. I'll say this, though. Jo never shies away from any of this idiocy. She has more tenacity and commitment (sorry ladies - dare I say balls?) than most. The level of criticism she has endured is down to her being perceived as a threat. Do not underestimate this woman because of some inner turmoil within Hounslow Conservatives. And now, no doubt, they will all pile on the gay American. Take it away, boys...

David Lesniak ● 2283d

Let's see if the same rigorous "scrutiny" gets piled on Cllr McGregor. Not a lot, he's joined the Bedford Park Bicycle Club.

Bernard Allen ● 2283d

"Maybe the women can help me out. What is it when a group of rich, middle-aged white guys gang up on a woman?Toxic masculinity?Locker room talk?"David, no I'd say it's 'Keyboard Bullying' at its very worst. Wonder if the 'Fearless Five' would say exactly the same to her face...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2283d

Indeed Bernard, one of those types who runs with the hares 🐇 and hunts with the hounds 🐕

Loraine Pemberton ● 2283d

Have always thought that men hate the fact a woman gave birth to them and they cannot get over it, after all it's something they cannot do, give birth that is.

Janice Evans ● 2283d

JaniceAn excellent, humorous and apposite post - made laugh 🤣

Loraine Pemberton ● 2283d

I found Cllr Biddolph very responsive and helpful and she certainly tried to represent the views of everyone in Chiswick.

Janet Tellick ● 2283d

It's funny Loraine when my Dad went on about women drivers etc.,I would remind him that one gave birth to him and it did shut shut him up for a day at least.

Janice Evans ● 2283d

Jo never shies away from any of this idiocy.This isn't true though. She vanishes everytime you ask her for an idea or a plan to implement her empty words.Everytime!

Tony Smart ● 2282d

TonyYou and your friends have consistently insulted, bullied and trolled Cllr Biddolph, it doesn't matter what she writes, bland, factual or controversial you never cease to pillory her with nasty and abusive comments. This is mainly due to her stance on the siting of CW9.You all conveniently ignore the hard and good work she has done for the Chiswick community. She has a strong following who appreciate her support and work but largely remain silent due either not being on this Forum and other social media or are fearful of the scathing and abusive comments they'll receive from the small cycling cabal on here. I'm not her friend, we have never socialised, she is one of my Ward Councillors nothing more nothing less.Stop the bullying and try being polite and gentlemanly for a change.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Pretty sure I haven't been nasty or abusive to her. I have definitely asked what her plan is on more than one occasion only to be faced with what appears to be a head disappearing into the sand for a couple of weeks.

Tony Smart ● 2282d

All depends on what your definition is, and btw who are you to say if someone has to respond to posts ? If it was anyone else who decided not to respond to unpleasantness in all probability you and the cycling cabal would say nothing. As it stands Cllr Biddolph is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't  !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

She doesn't.

Tony Smart ● 2282d

You are a Bully which is not an admirable trait.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Loraine,People who are in public office should be held to account. Don’t you believe that?Can you post some examples of nasty and abusive comments? You may think that asking an elected official to justify their position is nasty and abusive but it is just part of the democratic process.As someone who wanted to see the bike lane along CHR, it was great to have Cllr Biddolph leading the opposition. Her Ian Paisley-like “not an inch” intransigence may have appealed to some of her supporters but it was no way to actually get influence with decision makers. This was illustrated in the presentation to the council last September. Four people all saying what they didn’t want but no agreement of what they did want. There was no consensus building even within Cllr Biddolph’s supporters. You keep on glossing over the point but it was her 9 Conservative councillor colleagues who didn’t want her as leader.  The Chiswick Calendar article lists examples of her poor political judgement and there are others:- the pointless bike lane petition- Cherrygate- calling people to get out and shop just before lockdown- taking 2 years to produce a retail manifesto- appearing on Russia TodayThis is plus her “dictatorial” leadership style is why she was ousted by her colleagues.

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

Micheal as you are one of the 5 Usual suspects we are stating to disregard what you and your mates say on this forum.You and others have a hidden agenda, which has been greatly helped by the government on the back of Covid-19 have come up with a hair brain scheme to ask councils to apply for funding of to implement stupid traffic schemes.

Bernard Allen ● 2282d

Is that the royal we Bernard?I don’t think having streets better for people walking and cycling and less dominated by motor vehicle traffic is a hidden agenda. Would you not like this as well? Or do you want even more cars on the road?Anyway, if you don’t like the government policies, you can always vote against them in the next election. Although I’d be surprised if the other political parties will have policies very much different, with the exception of some fringe parties like UKIP if they are still around.

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

MichaelThat bit of reporting by Bridget is grossly inaccurate save the Russian interview mention which was a bad call, but we all make mistakes. One day you'll make a mistake that could potentially cost you dearly, and if that does happen I'm pretty sure you'd like to be supported and not to be publicly castigated at every turn for a long, long time.The other thing the Fearless Five and others have seemingly (deliberately ?)overlooked, is that Cllr Biddolph has not acted in isolation on the issues you object to and as reported in the Chiswick  Calendar, but with support and majority agreement from her co-councillors.  Or are you suggesting that Cllr Biddolph is such a strong, persuasive and forceful person that the likes of Councillors Todd, Hearn, McGregor, Mushiso, Barr, Gill etc just meekly caved in to her ideas ??? 🤣🤣🤣

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Loraine, have you contacted Chiswick Calendar with proof that aspects of the story are "grossly inaccurate "?  That sort of accusation about a professional journalist shouldn't be said lightly.If you are correct, you can ask they publish corrections and retractions.  I will look out for this in future newsletters.  If there aren't any corrections and retractions, I will assume that your claim has no basis or that you are just being a keyboard warrior and aren't prepared to back up your statements.Rather than claiming that the other cllrs caved in to her ideas, perhaps consider the situation that she did not consult them in the first place before issuing some of her statements.I have no knowledge of internal politics between Hounslow Conservative councillors but given there are 9 cllrs excluding Cllr Biddolph, some of the cllrs you listed definitely did not vote for her.You could always ask them why.

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

Last time I bullied someone I was 8 and still cringe thinking about it.You want to watch what you accuse people of.

Tony Smart ● 2282d

Put your wooden spoon away Michael and stop rubbing your hands prematurely with glee, suggest you dig out an article about the cherry trees where a comment was made by J Spencer.Tell me do you always believe what's written in the media ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Loraine, if I saw a story that I knew to be untrue and had the evidence to prove it, then I would contact the media.For example, I did that with a story on this website about cycleway 9 last year.  The editor rewrote the story and removed a quote by Cllr Biddolph. Perhaps Cllr Biddolph should have thanked me as the quote showed that Cllr Biddolph hadn't understood the proposal she was commenting on. Perhaps that could have been avoided if she had consulted with her councillor colleagues first.You could do the same thing with Chiswick Calendar and if you have the evidence to support your claim of gross inaccuracies, I am sure the editor would be happy to correct the story.

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

MichaelYou're adept at side stepping and ignoring issues that you don't want to deal with,  I now understand why you are so supportive and chummy with policy makers at LBH.I didn't say Chiswick  Calendar article was untrue, I said it was inaccurate !What you would do isn't what I would do.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Loraine, you are just playing semantics.  If you have evidence that the story is inaccurate, then provide it to the editor and I am sure they will correct the inaccuracies.The story I linked to was just on the Chiswick Calendar website.  It will likely be in their next newsletter as well.  The newsletter comes out on Tuesday so you'd better get a move on as a whole lot more people will be reading it.  You are wasting time posting here when you could be documenting all the gross inaccuracies.

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

MR:...but given there are 9 cllrs excluding Cllr Biddolph..."Michael, your above statement is WRONG !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Oh do get off your high horse and stop telling me, and anyone else, what I/they should do. Your penchant and OCD about having the last word and winning every debate says so much about you.Michael you started this thread out of spite, shame on you for being so petty.Not my place to provide any evidence as I'm sure Chiswick Calendar is aware of the facts but cherry picked which ones to publicise in good old journalistic tradition. However, I did tell you to research an article.Be my guest have the last word and once again demonstrate your OCD 😉

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Oh dear Loraine...You should have learned by now that when you pick an argument with me about facts, you usually end up looking uninformed and ignorant and this is no exception.Note that I was referring to Hounslow Conservative councillors, as Cllr Biddolph was leader of the Conservative group in Hounslow Council.So if you go to "your councillors" section of the Hounslow website, select "Your councillors by political party" and scroll down to the Conservatives, you will see there are 10 people listed.Evidently you weren't aware of Conservative Councillor Kuldeep Tak of Feltham North who was elected earlier this year in a by-election.I said there were 9 councillors excluding councillor Biddolph.  I don't know if your maths is up to understanding 10 - 1 = 9.  If not, you should able to find a school child who can explain it to you.Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough by now?

Michael Robinson ● 2282d

Yes, I was wrong I'd forgotten about the Feltham North Councillor.However, your gloating response just shows the person you are - an arrogant, sad, OCD type who gets his 'kicks' from belittling people. You do yourself no favours, show some humility assuming you know what that is ?Not in the slightest embarrassed, as I said people make mistakes, but the trick is to admit and learn from it.One day Michael you'll  make a massive mistake and there will be a very long queue of folk who you've been unbearably superior and obnoxious to waiting to rub salt into your wound - what's that saying about pride and a fall ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2282d

Like voting for Brexit being a huge mistake?

Stewart Jones ● 2281d

Excuse me ? I didn't vote for Brexit, as previously posted ages ago !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2281d

As someone who has been for many years active in matters regarding Gunnersbury Park, I have always found Cllr Biddolph very supportive: for example, on the problems arising from large events, on attempting to tackle the CIC's democratic deficit and, more recently, on the matter of reopening the bowling green. I have really appreciated her support when no one else seemed interested in speaking up for the residents.

Bela Cunha ● 2281d

BelaThank you for your post, I too know that Cllr Biddolph is proactive in helping people, but sadly a very small but very vociferous group constantly maligne her good works.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2281d

That's because some'traffic Engineers' admitted that they cannon engineer traffic and all they can do is push to ban as many cars as they can. Ideally all of them. Pathetic, useless and unprofessional bunch.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2281d

Well that was obviously mistake. I do apologise.

Stewart Jones ● 2281d

"but sadly a very small but very vociferous group constantly maligne her good works.In this instance the small and vociferous group appears to have been Hounslow's other nine Tory councillors.

Ken Munn ● 2281d

It's quite hard to read someone having a go at someone else on how they 'bully' people when on this forum they use a mental health issue as an insult.

Tom Trower ● 2281d

Not voting for Brexit was indeed a mistake.

Richard Greenhough ● 2280d

Well you won. Get over it

Stewart Jones ● 2280d

Oh please start a thread about why you still think Brexit is a good idea. Let’s not spoil this thread with such stuff but many would enjoy seeing your defence of Brexit.

Alan Clark ● 2280d

It will be a very short initial post.

Stewart Jones ● 2280d

Indeed Tom. It's despicable behaviour.

Carl Wynne ● 2280d