Forum Topic

Councillor Biddolph Suspended

https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/chiswick-councillor-joanna-biddolph-suspended/

Sonia Beddington ● 41d149 Comments

Of course Steve, all this is water off a ducks back.

Janice Evans ● 18d

I suspect that Cllr Biddolph will come back fighting harder than ever to make Chiswick a better place as she always does.

Steve Taylor ● 18d

"It the only way he knows to communicate with obnoxious often highly offensive rhetoric he does it on ALL FORUMs because he’s allowed to..why action isn’t taken is questionable"Personally I have no problems with Paul Campbell's contributions here.  If you want to complain about "highly offensive rhetoric", you should email the forum management at info@neighbournet.com.  It helps if you spell the person's name correctly.

Richard Jennings ● 19d

Thought it was to me Andrew, I ignore as I'm only kidding most the time.

Janice Evans ● 19d

It the only way he knows to communicate with obnoxious often highly offensive rhetoric he does it on ALL FORUMs because he’s allowed to..why action isn’t taken is questionable

Susan Collins ● 19d

I see your point too.

Stewart Jones ● 21d

It's a double-edged sword. The Councillor is one of the most effective cycle campaigners in London. Few people can claim to have done as much to steel the resolve of politicians to make and stick with changes. And she continually discredits and marginalises the local Conservatives making them a divided and ineffective opposition to the Council. If it wasn't for the allegations of bullying and sympathy for the victims then I would probably favour her continuing in her Councillor role for as long as possible.

Paul Campbell ● 21d

I see your point.

Stewart Jones ● 21d

But they are, Stewart. Just read all the vitriol. It’s hilarious. If she wasn’t such a force to be reckoned with, why are her opponents so gleeful that she has been ousted. Humpty has fallen off the wall. And, her own party leadership obviously fear her even more. Will be interesting to see if she stands as an independent if she keeps her seat.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

It’s even more amusing to read your claim that people are terrified of a councillor suspended by her own party .

Stewart Jones ● 22d

It’s extremely amusing to see how some people contributing to this thread are so gleeful that this Councillor has been suspended. Why are they so terrified of her? She is just one  Councillor in a political party that is no longer relevant and hasn’t been relevant in Hounslow for the last decade. The Conservatives lost all power and credibility when they stabbed their coalition partners, the ICG, in the back with the sheer arrogance that they believed they could go it alone and maintain control of the Council without the ICG. Since then they have just become  a laughable insignificance with no power at all.  Soon the same thing will happen to them in Westminster.  Yet so many people seem to have been so terrified of Councillor Biddolph that they are now peeing their pants because she has been suspended. She must truly be a remarkable woman to have wielded so much power in an insignificant party with no powers at all.

Steve Taylor ● 22d

Thank's Joanna. Good for you, however, as I said in a previous post, there is little profit in putting the record straight as the nodding donkeys will just keep braying whatever you say.

Adrian Irving ● 24d

If Cllr Biddolph wants to do a proper survey then she should publish the car park occupancy at a minimum of hourly intervals between 7pm and 12 midnight for 7 days.I'd expect to see 42 data readings, not 1.

Michael Robinson ● 24d

Persistent claims that the car park survey I conducted was done at an "unspecified time" are wrong. The information I published stated the time of the survey and this was included in coverage on this website: "As a result, she carried out a second snapshot survey on the evening of Friday 26 January asking users of the car park between 7.50pm and 9.50pm how much they had spent on their visit. An earlier survey she conducted had analysed spending habits during the day." The article is here in full: https://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conparking136.htm Yes, it was one survey on one evening but my view was that surveying one night was better than a survey which excluded all evenings and therefore did not include any information on the value of the car park to Chiswick's night time economy. Besides, there are numerous evening events so the negative references to the fact that I conducted the survey on a comedy night at the George IV is another distraction. The George IV holds comedy nights every Friday and Saturday - if I had surveyed on a Saturday night, would that have been irrelevant? What about other nights? Thursday is music night; Monday is quiz night. Should I only have surveyed on an event-free night at the George IV? What about events held in other Chiswick locations which might also bring drivers to the car park so they can spend their money in our local businesses? Are they irrelevant, too? As for running a survey on all the other nights of the week, no doubt I will be criticised for choosing the wrong Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday - and perhaps if I do another Friday, getting that wrong too. One significant point about the other parking survey was that it included early mornings when demand on parking is extremely low, because most shops aren't open until 9.30am or later. In my view, if it was ok to include hours when the car park is little used every day, implying the car park is less valuable than it is, it should also be ok to include hours when it is almost always full every night, enabling drivers to support our local economy.

Joanna Biddolph ● 24d

As Councillor Lambert was supposedly interested enough to drive from Brentford to check out this issue but still ignored my question three times on how much is this projected to cost perhaps someone else can give us a clue.Pardon me for asking but it doesn't seem to me an unreasonable enquiry. With this info locals and businesses can then either support the project or oppose it based on a cost/ benefit basis.  I'm sitting on the fence until I know the cost and see a meaningful, clear, well presented illustration of what is intended. So far that has been, at best, sketchy.

Adrian Irving ● 24d

You simply don't get it Jeremy. Cllr Biddolph taking a snapshot at an unspecified time on a single day is not proof of "higher use in the evening".  If she can provide at least hourly data over at least 7 different days that would be worth considering. It is good that you think the chances of improvements are "remote".  Given your track record, that means it is guaranteed to happen.  Your opinion that revenue from car parking is the most important thing to Hounslow is a case in point.  Has it occurred to you that a) there is no revenue from car parking in the evening anyway b) revenue from a handful of car parking spaces is of no consequence in terms of overall council budget c) redevelopment of Old Market Place will need considerable contribution from Hounslow.  The fact they are considering this already means that improvements in the area are viewed as more important than trivial revenue from a handful of parking spaces.

Michael Robinson ● 24d

Michael, you continue to miss or deliberately obfuscate the key point here. The conclusion of the original survey was that a reduction of parking spaces at Old Market Place would have limited overall impact as there was plenty of spare capacity. Cllr Biddolph drew attention to the higher use in the evening which effectively undermined this notion.This doesn't mean the proposals for a makeover for the area are not still worth consideration but that the potential costs to local business cannot be dismissed out of hand (although experience tells me you at least will do this). My view is that the advantages to local trade of a more attractive town centre may outweigh this disadvantates of lost parking space. If this appears to be the consensus among local businesses as well then the plans for the car park should be welcomed. Issues needed to be considered such as how to prevent it being a place where street drinkers and drug addicts congregate particularly given the low intensity policing currently provided on the High Road. Large congregations of delivery riders need to be discouraged as well somehow. Both of these problems should have relatively straightforward solutions.However, I think it will be hard to persuade the council to accept a reduced revenue from the car park and therefore the chances of this ever happening are remote for now.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 24d

Is that a question for the Councillor ? The reply should be interesting.

Stewart Jones ● 25d

It’s difficult to tell as a result of the hard work that you put into making your posts intelligible that you would need help with starting a petition.

Paul Campbell ● 25d

To paraphrase Oscar Wilde “Aren’t you tired of yourself ?  Wouldn’t you like to be somebody else ?”

Madeleine Hazard ● 27d

How about renaming Fishers Lane as Biddolph's Gutter?

John Hall ● 27d

Maybe you could help with thePetition, not just the spelling you would be wasted on that.?

James Dow ● 27d

Yes! Maybe at the beginning of Cherry Tree Avenue. You should petition for it and maybe even try to have her name spelled correctly.

Paul Campbell ● 27d

Would it be a good maybe great idea,to erect a Statue of Councillor Biddulph. Maybe in the Turnham green  area.

James Dow ● 27d

Which means what …?

Stewart Jones ● 28d

Yes, I wasn't claiming the parking survey results during the day give the results for the evening.  Equally, whatever time Cllr Biddolph looked at on a Friday doesn't give the results for later in the evening and other days of the week.  That is why surveys are done, to actually measure things rather than guessing or leaving it up to opinions.Of course, we have yet to see what changes are proposed for Old Market Place following the opinions collected last year.  The point isn't whether there are more people parking than average on a Friday evening but whether the space can be improved.  Would it be better for more space to be allocated for people sitting, eating, drinking or watching the world go by than for storage of private cars?  Would it be better for more space to be used for greenery and rain gardens to soak up rain water rather than sterile asphalt that contributes to run-off, flooding the drainage system in the first place?Of course, there will be those that say car parking is the most important thing in the world and every place is sacred.

Michael Robinson ● 28d

What you've said is true, but ... the professionally conducted survey was limited in the hours that were surveyed, and one can't extrapolate its results to the evening.For one thing, the parking in the evening isn't chargeable which is a factor than means those who wouldn't park there in the day (due to cost) might consider parking there in the evenings.

Andrew Jones ● 28d

You are completely missing the point that a survey that regularly sampled car park occupancy over a range of days, times and locations can't be compared with a one-off observation.You can't claim that a professionally conducted survey by people who do this for a living is the same as Cllr Biddolph's anecdotes during an unspecified time one Friday evening.The parking survey during the day also found some times when it was nearly full.  So what to Cllr Biddolph's claim it was full at an unspecified time on one Friday evening? Rather than stating the car park will be full this evening as a fact - prove it.  go there and provide actual counts at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and midnight.  Then do the same for other days, not just Friday. Of course you won't.  Waffling on the internet is far easier. It isn't clear whose concerns Cllr Biddolph is representing.  The George IV and Fullers are more than capable of speaking up for themselves.  It would be interesting to hear their views about parking vs. space that can be used for other purposes such as seating.  Or is Cllr Biddolph standing up for those businesses like Nandos, Chipotle and Five Guys whose owners are billionaires and  NYSE shareholders?

Michael Robinson ● 28d

The conclusion of the earlier parking report was that ample parking was available in the centre of Chiswick. That may have been compiled in a more professional way that Cllr Biddolph's ad hoc survey but she did hers in her own time whereas the previous report was funded partially by Hounslow Council taxpayers.You seem to have missed the entire point by claiming her choosing a time when the car park was likely to be busy to do the survey in some way undermines her conclusions. If you go along tonight (even though it is the holiday period, you will see a full car park) and therefore, by excluding the times when the car park is busiest, the first report seriously underestimated the times it was full to capacity.Of all the rumours doing the rounds about why she has been suspended, the one that does have something of a ring of truth to it is that the Conservative group wanted to adopt a more 'market-friendly' stance seeing the popularity of these events and the positive impact that they were having.There was frustration about Cllr Biddolph's apparent guerilla warfare against them which some of her colleagues felt was motivated primarily by personal animosity to individuals involved with the markets rather than any principle. While there is probably something to this, her point about the capacity of the car park is well made and she is reflecting concerns among business owners in the centre of Chiswick. The party will need to provide reassurance that they will not be neglecting their interests .

Jeremy Parkinson ● 28d

I am indeed contemptuous and mocking of rude obstinacy.That is indeed a sentence that sums you up …..

Madeleine Hazard ● 29d

Cllr Biddolph hasn't undermined anything.The professionally run parking survey was run hourly over 16 days, 12 hours a day covering Old Market Place, Bond St and other streets with parking near to Chiswick Common while Cllr Biddolph's so called survey appears to have been conducted on a single evening, at a single location covering unspecified hours.If Cllr Biddolph wants her results to be treated seriously then she needs to provide hourly parking occupancy figures for multiple days in multiple locations.Of course she won't be able to provide this so she or her supporters should put their money where they mouth is and fund their own professional survey which covers more than Cllr Biddolph hanging around  for an hour outside The George IV on a Friday night when the comedy club is on.

Michael Robinson ● 29d

Quite a few people seem to be  questioning how the author of the article knows what the suspension is related to.    Any behaviour that leads to the party giving a suspension is still a breach of their code of conduct.  However “serious” it is,  it’s not a positive for someone working in public office.

Nora Watkins ● 29d

Michael, on the effectiveness point you are quite right that she has generally failed affect policy but that is to be expected from a councillor who is in a minority group. When I say effective it is in terms of the time and effort she puts into making counter-arguments which, often have been unduly prolix but sometimes hit the mark. For instance I believe she successfully undermined the survey into Old Market Place car park which claimed to show there was space capacity by pointing out it was full in the evenings.While nobody is arguing that internal processes be made fully public, it would appear that they have already partly been made so by briefing by Conservative councillors. This has led to continued speculation that rumbles on well after the event. If a relatively short statement had been made giving a brief explanation of why she had been suspended at the time, we wouldn't still be talking about it now.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 29d

As I said Nora, it may 'serious' but to what extent we don't know.You could argue that if it was that 'serious' then a temporary suspension seems to me to be not that severe. Whereas an expulsion for gross misconduct is serious, very serious.PS To answer your question, I don't think I or anyone else has claimed there is no truth in it.

Adrian Irving ● 29d

Conservative Party Disciplinary process guidance is publicly available for anyone to read.https://www.conservatives.com/code-of-conduct/complaints-guidanceCertainly in the workplace, if you don't follow disciplinary process guidance to the letter then that can lead to all sorts of issues.

Michael Robinson ● 29d

Adrian,  I doubt they would suspend someone without a valid reason.  The Conservative Party has a code of conduct,  and suspension implies the councillor has broken those rules.It's also not in the party interest to suspend someone without a valid reason,  it doesn't reflect well on the party.  It's risky to post something online unless you have additional information.  Why would the writer of the original article open themselves up to accusations of libel is there isn't any truth in it?

Nora Watkins ● 29d

By opposing any changes can be made for the better and concerns of residents put forward.

Janice Evans ● 29d

I am not sure it can be assumed the offence was serious, whatever 'serious' means. Maybe it was or maybe the suspension was an over reaction reflecting current sensitivities.What an individual or group may regard as 'serious' another will regard it as no more than 'out of order'.The fact is we have no facts nor do we know when the situation arose. It could be recent or dug up from years ago. Let me make it clear I don't hold any candles but it is clear to me the councillor is best to make no comment or attempt to defend herself. Pointless. It's a pity some people can't look at the issue in isolation as they have historic issues they can't let go of.That's all.

Adrian Irving ● 29d

Whatever the reason she has been suspended by her own party members. She should do the honourable thing and step down. Time for a less controversial fresh face to represent us.

Sonia Beddington ● 29d

The words 'very effective' are questionable given the long list of things Cllr Biddolph has unsuccessfully opposed: Cycleway 9, LTN schemes, cherry trees on Turnham Green, 4 different Sunday markets, removal of license for Hothouse Cafe employing illegal immigrants...Indeed, Cllr Biddolph opposing something seems to be a pretty good guarantee it will happen.I wouldn't expect a political party's internal disciplinary processes to be published to all and sundry.

Michael Robinson ● 29d

While I fully accept that Cllr Biddolph has been a very effective councillor and has represented the interests of the business community particularly well, you can't call for her reinstatement unless you know all the facts.Her silence on the matter and that of the party and her colleagues (unless there have been off the record brieings) can mean one of two things - her behaviour has been so shameful that she is not rebutting what has been put in the public domain because it is either accurate or an understatement of what actually happened, or she has agreed not to comment as a condition of reinstatement in three months. Either way it would seem her chances of being reselected as a Tory candidate for Chiswick Gunnersbury in 2026 appear to be close to zero.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 29d

Is that why her own party suspended her?

Stewart Jones ● 29d

Is Councillor Biddolph anti-woke?

Paul Campbell ● 29d

HEAR HEAR.really good call Elizabeth.

James Dow ● 29d

Bring Biddolph back. Pro business, anti woke. That’ll do for a start in this modern world!

Emma Elizabeth ● 29d

Still flummoxed.... Paul would have been very busy trying to keep this thread at the top, but carry on......

Janice Evans ● 30d

😉

Janice Evans ● 30d

How bizarre of you to say that on this thread,Janice.

Stewart Jones ● 30d

Bring Anna back.

Janice Evans ● 30d

The men counting seem terribly obsessed….

Stewart Jones ● 30d

I’m glad to have my assistants keep this story at the top of the forum. From what I am hearing people who felt they were alone in the treatment they have received are realising they were not and are telling their stories ….

Paul Campbell ● 30d

You miscounted Richard. It's 34.

Andrew Jones ● 30d

33Obsessed or what ?

Richard Greenhough ● 30d

Who were you responding to Gareth?  (Genuine question btw!)

Andrew Jones ● 31d

You you are the one who comes across as a bully and how ironic that your heroine is accused of the same. Paul is doing us all a service, its called local democracy-suck it up

Gareth Sinclair ● 31d

It would be helpful if the Conservative group and the Councillor were open about their disagreement.

Stewart Jones ● 32d

Indeed. But her supporters seem to lack the attention and focus required to keep this in mind so they resort to attacking people who remind them of it when they veer off course with their weak attempts at exculpation.

Paul Campbell ● 34d

It’s worth remembering that the Councillor has been suspended by the Conservative group - her own colleagues and fellow party members. Whatever it is that she’s done, it’s bad enough to warrant suspension from her own lot.

Stewart Jones ● 34d

I can understand why supporters of the Coucnillor would like to silence people and halt discussion of the suspension but counting my posts won’t stop me from commenting.

Paul Campbell ● 34d

31

Adrian Irving ● 34d

Yes I object to people’s attempts to whitewash the suspension of the Councillor. It’s reminiscent of Trump supporters. Readers can make their own minds up what might be motivating them to do so. Personally I think it’s probably quite disappointing for the champion of causes they hold dear to have their position significantly weakened by their own Party. And no Jim disagreeing with people and positing an opposing argument is not bullying.

Paul Campbell ● 34d

Thirty posts on this subject so far. Anyone might think this serial poster has an issue.What that issue is I can speculate but I will leave you, dear reader, to make your own mind up.

Adrian Irving ● 34d

The Forum's verbal bully doesn't stop!

Jim Lawes ● 34d

If they had no reasonable cause for a three month suspension they would not have been able to impose one. There are many reasons why this is not a decision that could have been taken lightly. A three month suspension is quite serious and quite humiliating.  It’s a shame to see her friends being so unwilling to take seriously the allegations of bullying behaviour.

Paul Campbell ● 34d

That is speculation/interpretation,. The fact there has been no official explanation.  Just because some voices who have made known their  strong dislike for Councillor Biddolph for many years have been eager and quick to comment, doesn’t change that.  And it doesn’t make their comments true. One alternative  explanation, is of course that those who don’t like her and want to silence her,  have worked for this outcome.  If she was less determined or effective, they might not have bothered. This is politics after all. 

Jackie Elton ● 34d

“But many people do have a very positive view of Councillor Biddolph,and she topped the poll in the last ward election.”All the more reason to conclude that the behaviour was serious. A decision to suspend could not have been one taken lightly.

Paul Campbell ● 35d

Oh really? So you won’t vote Conservative then at the next election? And spare me the Chiswick victimhood! The drama.

Paul Campbell ● 35d

But it isn't speculation though. Conservative councillors appear to have given further explanation on an unattributable basis. The only silence now is a lack of a statement to say that it is inaccurate.

Mark Evans ● 35d

Neither the Conservatives nor the councillor are likely to, or need to give any further explanation, but the act of suspending someone is a very public comment on the behaviour of that person. We may never find out why, and as we’ve seen recently, the silence and lack of defence creates speculation. 

Nora Watkins ● 35d

It must be the Deep State that Liz Truss warns us about.

Paul Scullion ● 35d

No Councillor is directly quoted in the Calendar Article, in fact nobody is quoted directly at all in relation to the suspension. Nobody interviewed or quoted putting an alternative view.  This Website, ChiswickW4 has not adopted the same stance.I’m sure it will have attempted to dig for information. . But many people do have a very positive view of Councillor Biddolph,and she topped the poll in the last ward election. But this was not reflectedIn the CC article.  I hope Conservatives can find a better way through this difficulty.

Jackie Elton ● 35d

I appreciate that the reporter may have an axe to grind but the article appears to be based on other Chiswick councillors as sources and her own party has made no attempt to clarify. What other conclusion is there other than that it is substantially true?

Mark Evans ● 35d

If ‘as reported’ you are referring to the Chiswick Calendar article, that is a source that has always been very critical of Councillor Biddolph. The Conservative Group on the Council have not formally  given their reasons or issued a press release or publicly commented, nor have we heard the case for the defence. In the absence of direct information it is difficult to comment.There are choices in such circumstances., Getting in an independent mediatoror adjudicator? We just don’t know the  real story. But loads of stuff about suspensions and defections in the Hounslow LabourParty hardly gets a mention here.

Jackie Elton ● 35d

If her behaviour was as reported then they had little choice.

Mark Evans ● 35d

It is indeed a shame that the Cllr has been suspended. It seems the conservatives have no spine.

Steve Taylor ● 36d

Seems a shame. She shows a passion for Chiswick. She also responds to requests for help, unlike others in position of authority, such as local MP.

Emma Elizabeth ● 36d

Sorry text talk.... very funny coming from you.

Janice Evans ● 37d

Ha ha ha very funny come no frm you.

Janice Evans ● 37d

When did an absence of facts or knowledge prevent you from posting on this forum? Sorry but like Jim you should acquaint yourself with the forum code of conduct before embarrassing yourself further. Clue: people talking about something that you find uncomfortable is not forbidden or censored.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

You are a telling me that I am wrong but then confirming what I said by repeating it with different wording.Our local councillors have attracted votes in Chiswick despite the poor showing from their party at a national level because they have communicated well, presented a united front and always represented the interest of the area against a council which sees it as both a backwater and a piggy bank. The handling of this case will shake the confidence of a lot of people.

Diane Brown ● 37d

We have no facts, not that I want any we don't post about all the misgivings that go on with Labour and there have been plenty lately.

Janice Evans ● 37d

Why would it be?

Paul Campbell ● 37d

Hope this thread is removed.

Janice Evans ● 37d

I think this rather proves that you and I have rather different standards for what constitutes a strong argument. And that is why you are unable to understand Robert’s correct statement that I am indeed contemptuous and mocking of rude obstinacy.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

Q.E.D.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 37d

Nasty spats drive traffic. That's it.

Bruce Hammal ● 37d

Jeremy, how could you possibly know how I respond to arguments I amunable to counter.  You certainly can’t claim to have ever invented an argument of that calibre yourself. Everything you post is fact-free and based on supposition.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

They are negative consequences in your mind. They are not real ones. Real ones would include people not voting for the Conservatives because they dislike this decision and how it has been communicated. Time will tell if that is the case but I very much doubt it.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

Sorry, but I think that is broadly inaccurate. While he is happy to exchange insults with people on the other side of the debate who believe the world is as simple and straightforward as he does, he becomes most venomous when he is challenged with arguments he is unable to counter. Nevertheless, I would be outraged if he wasn't allowed to post any more.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 37d

The negative consequences are firstly for the leadership of the group whose judgement can be called into question due to their insistence on not disclosing the reasons for the suspension. The people of her ward have a right to know why her colleagues felt they could no longer work with her.Secondly, the group as a whole is discredited by the leaks about the decision which point to a degree of vindictiveness against their colleague.

Diane Brown ● 37d

That’s fair Robert. Although naturally I would dispute that my provocations are needless.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

Jim, I think you ought to acquaint yourself with the forum policy before embarrassing yourself further.

Paul Campbell ● 37d

I consider it a little unfair to change the thread title to single him out by name. If he had to go, a lot of other people would have to go with him. I would probably have to go as well, and Steve Taylor would certainly be high on the list of candidates for suspension. Paul Campbell can be needlessly provocative, but when he is aggressive or condescending it's usually in response to the aggression, ill-will or rude obstinacy of others. He is constantly abused by those who hate the 'cycle lobby'.

Robert Fish ● 38d

Well said, Jim.

Steve Taylor ● 38d

This ChiswickW4.com forum is now some 20 years old.It was once quite friendly.We even had Forum Meet Ups.The "I know it all" Paul Campbellcomes over as both rude and obnoxious to other participants here.He should be "warned" by the Moderatorsprior to expulsion ...to make this Forum pleasant again

Jim Lawes ● 38d

Why what negative consequences has anybody other than the new Independent suffered as a result of this?

Paul Campbell ● 38d

Everybody involved. Nobody is coming off well out of this matter.

Diane Brown ● 38d

Backfired on who?

Paul Campbell ● 38d

The big difference between off the record briefing between rivals for power in government and this case is that the only motivation could be personal vindictiveness. This might not have been wholly unprovoked but the attempt to keep a lid on what has happened seems to have backfired as these sort of things nearly always do.

Diane Brown ● 38d

Surely it isn’t so hard for even the new Independent Councillor’s biggest fans to imagine how some of her colleagues find her objectionable. Remember when she orchestrated the coup against Sam Hearn?

Paul Campbell ● 38d

I can't comment on the local Conservatives but less than complementary briefings about political colleagues is endemic with other politicians.It was reported that Gordon Brown's team was constantly briefing against Blair until Blair stepped down and just think what the list of potential successors to Sunak will be saying...

Michael Robinson ● 38d

You may well be right about this but it would suggest an irreparable breach between her and some of her colleagues. To brief someone known to already have a poor relationship with her points to some of the group not being happy that the suspension is only temporary.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 38d

No I haven't claimed to speak with any authority. Once again you are projecting. Every post I have written has been entirely aimed at exposing your undue certainty on every aspect of the matter by pointing out that the opposite of what you say is just as likely to be true in the absence of any credible facts. But I have far less reason to doubt the reports of journalists than I do the idle speculation of forum members who admit to knowing nothing.

Paul Campbell ● 38d

Jeremy,A significant proportion of UK political news you see every day in press, TV and radio is provided to journalists 'off the record' by 'sources' so I don't see why you think it would be any different for local media.The Chiswick Calendar report of Cllr Biddolph's suspension has 'off the record' information, as did their report of Cllr Biddolph being voted out as the leader of the Hounslow Conservatives a few years ago.https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/chiswick-councillor-joanna-biddolph-suspended/https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/chiswick-conservative-councillors-elect-new-leader/You idealistically may want all UK political reporting to be on the record and attributable but I think 'sources' are far too deeply ingrained in British politics for that.

Michael Robinson ● 38d

Paul, I may be engaging in idle speculation without facts but the same can be said about you with more justification. Neither of us have any accurate information about the grounds for the suspension but you are the one who claims to speak with authority about what they were.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 38d

Jeremy, you should know better than most that engaging in idle speculation with no evidence or facts can lead people to any conclusion of their choosing. The Councillor is probably aware of the Streisand effect and is quite wisely keeping a low profile to limit the attention being drawn to the cause of her being subject to disciplinary action from the Conservative group. She probably wishes her supporters could be as astute ...

Paul Campbell ● 38d

The Hounslow Conservative group can't keep this purely as an internal matter and needed to inform the council as well.The party affiliation on the council website has been changed to 'Independent Conservative'.  Also I believe membership of committees is carved out on the basis of number of seats each party has.  I assume Cllr Biddolph will lose her membership of Hounslow committees she is on.  Whether the Conservatives can replace her depends on the maths used to divvy out committee places.

Michael Robinson ● 38d

Not sure how you could possibly come to this conclusion. The party statement shows the intent was to keep this as an internal party discipline matter which would require agreement from both sides.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 38d

The notion that she has been muzzled seems at least equally improbable.

Paul Campbell ● 38d

Whether you like or dislike her, this is a woman who has always fought her corner so the notion she has had a sudden bout of shyness is improbable. A reason for her suspension has been publicised already so it is a bit late for coyness on her part. Either this is a fabrication or has been leaked by her colleagues. In both of these scenarios some action should be taken by the local party leadership.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 38d

Maybe she doesn't want the reason to be publicised. There are other credible explanations.

Paul Campbell ● 38d

There is no other credible explanation for her lack of comment on the suspension other than this is a condition of the suspension being ultimately lifted.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 38d

Why doesn't she have the right of reply?

Paul Campbell ● 39d

The only official statement from the Conservative Party is that she has been suspended from the group on the council. No reasons have been given. Allegations that this was for bullying have been made in the public domain. These are either completely made up or members of the Conservative Group are briefing against her. It would be the height of hypocrisy to complain about a fellow councillor's behaviour and then make information about her that is supposed to be confidential when she doesn't have the right of reply. That would itself be classified as bullying. Either way the local party leadership need to act.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 39d

I wasn't primarily thinking of Conservative councillors who give me the impression, rightly or wrongly, of more independent thinking than the lot who are the majority in Hounslow House.

Adrian Irving ● 39d

I don't think so. I haven't read that. She hasn't been suspended for having different views to others in the Group.

Paul Campbell ● 39d

Indeed, but I read she intends to stand as an independent. Is that not the case?

Adrian Irving ● 39d

I should go on to say I think all local councillors should be independent, free to act in our our best interests.Aren't you sick to the back teeth of the political back biting and unthinking support for the party line? Councillors, just do your job and serve the public. Please.

Adrian Irving ● 39d

The local Council election is in 2026. The Councillor has been suspended from the Conservative group for three months.

Paul Campbell ● 39d

That should read; or an independent voice?

Adrian Irving ● 39d

Let's see what happens when election time comes around shall we. Do voters want nodding donkeys or and independent voice?Who knows.

Adrian Irving ● 39d

Not as able though. Independents are toothless.

Paul Campbell ● 40d

What do you expect her to do as a blue blooded Tory?

Paul Campbell ● 40d

The report in ChiswickW4 isn't that clear and there doesn't seem to be an official statement from the local Conservative group. It would be helpful to have one which sets things out more clearly.  She continues to be an elected and serving Councillor able to represent the residents of Chiswick Gunnersbury. It isn't the first time that conflicts arise within political groupings and it probably won't be the last. It even happens from time to time within Labour as well.

Jackie Elton ● 40d

Because she is a blue blooded Tory and that's what's needed.

James Dow ● 40d

Don't you think the Councillor would expect allegations of bullying to be taken seriously?

Paul Campbell ● 40d

Why do you want her back as a Conservative so bad? Don't you know?

Paul Campbell ● 40d

I too have found Jo tireless in campaigning for local businesses ad Chiswick in general. It must be a pretty thankless task being a local councillor.

Charlotte Kasner ● 40d

Why not.

James Dow ● 40d

I wish !

Richard Greenhough ● 40d

"The sooner she's back the better."Why?

Paul Campbell ● 40d

👍

Janice Evans ● 40d

The sooner she's back the better.

James Dow ● 40d

Inevitable really , she must have done something serious to warrant this and interesting neither she or the party are saying what.

Gareth Sinclair ● 40d

quote: Poor woman. Just more proof of how weak and wet the Conservatives have become! Pathetic that they now call debate “bullying” when they don’t agree with what she says. What are they? Namby-Pamby school children? They may as well be Lib Dems! UK's politics, no matter what umbrella you're under, are all equal to the shower currently running the US!

Carl Johns ● 40d

Absolutely. I can’t argue with that apart from the  bit about you being good at it. Maybe your forum persona as a hard reactionary conservative with a fixed mindset doesn’t reflect how you are at work.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

Methinks you overstate the level of interest in what you have to say. A little forum in Chiswick and a group of self-congratulatory cyclists on 'X' isn't Pullitzer prize stuff.

N V Brooks ● 41d

I have always been a great listener, reflection is a fabulous tool hence success follows 😂😂😂

Jayne Thorburn ● 41d

Yes you are one of those people Jayne. Always have been.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

Oh plenty will. Certainly all the people quoted in the article who have been on the receiving end of her style. And you’re not stupid enough to argue that the people using this forum are not aware of who she is.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

I agree with Julian other than the fact someone elected who was warned about bullying continued to behave in such a way. What has happened to normal decent people who have the skills to communicate with respect. There are so many amazing women why do the few elected give the rest of us ladies such a bad imagine. There are a few on this forum that are so entrenched in their views they have lost the art of listening, reflecting and able to change their view……

Jayne Thorburn ● 41d

"this is a big story" Is it,id say 90%+ would not even know who the lady in question is. But i dont disagree on everything you say,i just dont find it that important

Julian Pavey ● 41d

I think the problem wasn’t them disagreeing with what she says but her intolerance of their disagreement.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

Oh come off it Julian. The Councillor has been a big and controversial part  of Chiswick life whether you agree with her or not and this is a big story. You can’t expect to silence people from commenting on it on a Chiswick discussion forum because you don’t like it.  Personally I think anybody taking the side of the Hothouse owner against the Home Office looked terrible so maybe that was the final straw for her colleagues.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

Poor woman. Just more proof of how weak and wet the Conservatives have become! Pathetic that they now call debate “bullying” when they don’t agree with what she says. What are they? Namby-Pamby school children? They may as well be Lib Dems!

Steve Taylor ● 41d

Roll up,roll up. Paul has surfaced,who next ?

Julian Pavey ● 41d

There have been a lot of bad weeks for the anti safer streets campaigners but this has to be up there as one of the worst.

Paul Campbell ● 41d

Wow, who'd have thought.

Mark Frost ● 41d

I have only ever found Jo Biddolph to be charming and friendly and very involved in the local community.

Chris Blackwell ● 41d