Forum Topic

Double by-election in Brentford could spell trouble for Labour

Two by-elections have been called in two wards in Brentford both currently held by Labour. They should be fairly safe seats but the timing of these votes is a disaster for them. I think I am right in saying it comes as people who previously qualified for council tax support will be finding out how much extra they have to pay. 

Jeremy Parkinson ● 50d12 Comments

The problem with PR at a local level is that you lose the close link between councillor and ward which (when the system works as it should) works well. Most of a diligent councillors work will be taken up by things like housing issues which they would be disinclined to do if they represented a wider area.

Mark Evans ● 2d

I suspect a high proportion of the few who voted, were postal voters like me. The voters of Brentford realised whoever got in, Hounslow Council would continue as Labour, as has been the case since The London Borough of Hounslow was formed decades ago, apart from I think, 2006 to 2010 when it was held by a Conservative Coalition. Some form of PR should be introduced to local councils.

Chris Dakers ● 3d

That 15% in Brentford East may well be an all time low for a ward election in the borough perhaps demonstrating how unengaged people who have moved into new buildings in the area are from local matters. Even 20% in Syon and Brentford Lock is astonishing given the noise apparently generated by the contest there.

Mark Evans ● 3d

Thanks for that those figures Tim.So out of Brentford East's5600 ish electorate ..only some 894 voted.That's the state of affairs in local politics ... in Brentford anyway.Theo's selection in the other Brentford Ward ... as an Independant ... will be interesting to follow.Will he have much of a voice at Hounslow Borough Council meetings?

Jim Lawes ● 6d

The Council website election declaration pages give the turnout figures.Syon and Brentford Lock :  20.97%Brentford East  :          15.09%

Tim Henderson ● 6d

The "turn out figures" don't seem.to have been published (why not?)but the voting figures suggest less than 20%!Apathy or just basic discontentmentwith local politics?

Jim Lawes ● 6d

Brentford Today has a clip of the result being announced.You will note the good grace with which the other candidates accepted the result,all except one that is.Guess which one.

Keith Iddon ● 6d

Independent candidate Theo Dennisson took Syon and Brentford Lock by just 12 votes with Labour holding on to Brentford East reasonably comfortably. Obviously hugely disappointing for Labour but far from the worst case scenario and if they wanted to be glass-half-full they can take comfort that none of the main opposition parties gave any indication they were in a position to challenge them.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 6d

Brentford goes to the polls tomorrow and I think the result is well worth keeping an eye out for. If Labour lose both seats then you probably have to think in terms of them not hanging on to control of the council in the elections next year. People who know more about the area than me seem to think that Labour will lose Syon and Brentford Lock but hang on in Brentford East due to the lack of a clear challenger which will result in the opposition vote being split.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 8d

In the case of Sarai,we are fully entitled to ask for our money back.I would also loke to know which councillor is known as 'the member for Magaluf'.

Keith Iddon ● 48d

To paraphrase good old Oscar Wilde 'To lose one councillor may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose two looks like carelessness'.

Vanessa Smith ● 49d

The tax bills probably won't hit people's doorsteps until after the polls but I think most people receiving council tax support will be aware by now that they may be paying more. All incumbents of any party in any part of the world are struggling to get reelected due to having to deal with higher interest rates and deficits. Labour's advantage in Brentford was that they had some diligent councillors to make up for the absentee ones but this has lessened with Guy Lambert's expulsion. The Greens will probably be looking very closely at these two seats as they have worked harder in the area than other opposition parties.

Mark Evans ● 49d