Local Elections
The local election results last month were mixed to say the least. Nationally, the picture was fragmented, with different parties making gains in different parts of the country and no shortage of competing explanations as to what the results mean for the future of British politics.
The picture in Hammersmith and Chiswick was rather different. In H&F, Labour achieved one of its strongest results anywhere, with more than half of the best ward results across the capital. Congratulations are due to Council Leader Stephen Cowan and his team.
Policies such as free home care, free breakfast clubs in schools and sustained investment in local services have made a tangible difference to residents’ lives and clearly resonated with a lot of voters.
The council now has an ambitious programme for the next four years, but its renewed mandate is built on many years of strong local leadership and the hard work of councillors across the borough. I was also delighted to see Mayor Sharon Holder remain in office for a further year.
In Hounslow, Labour also retained control of the council. Following the election, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat was re-elected as Leader and Cllr Ranjit Gill was elected Mayor for 2026/27, becoming the first LGBTQ Mayor in the borough’s history. He takes over from Cllr Amy Croft, who has served the borough with distinction over the past year. Amy herself received a personal endorsement from voters, topping the poll in Chiswick Riverside.
Like Hammersmith & Fulham, the council has set out an ambitious programme for the years ahead, building on work already underway in housing, regeneration, community safety and youth provision.
I have received many emails from constituents since the elections, with residents sharing their thoughts on the results. There has been fair criticism of the Labour government and understandable frustration about the pace of change. After fourteen years of economic stagnation and declining public services, expectations of Labour are still high but the challenges facing the country remain substantial.
One of the very clear messages from constituents was the importance of stability and of allowing the Government time to deliver its programme. Rebuilding public services, strengthening the economy and addressing long-standing problems in housing, transport and the justice system were never going to be achieved overnight.
Local elections often tell different stories in different parts of the country. What the results in Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow demonstrated is that voters continue to respond positively to councils that focus on delivery, maintain strong local leadership and remain rooted in the communities they serve.
In the Commons
The Justice Committee has been busy since the King’s Speech, with a number of major reforms to the justice system making their way through Parliament.
I spoke in the King’s Speech debate on the Ministry of Justice’s legislative programme, including proposals on jury trials and the Hillsborough Law. Reducing the courts backlog remains a priority, but reforms must not come at the expense of fairness or access to justice.
Family justice has also been a major focus. I questioned the Lord Chancellor about the future of the family mediation voucher scheme, which helps separating families resolve disputes without going to court. Two-thirds of families who use the scheme avoid court proceedings altogether, and I was pleased to secure confirmation that the scheme will continue for at least another year.
I also met Family Courts Minister Baroness Levitt to discuss reform of the law relating to cohabiting couples. Last week she launched a major consultation on changing the law for the 3.5m couples who lack the protections available to those who marry or are in civil partnerships. I spoke in a debate on domestic abuse and safeguarding in the family courts. The Justice Committee has previously examined this issue and there remains important work to do to ensure that the safety of victims and children remains at the centre of decision-making.
Youth justice has likewise returned to the parliamentary agenda. I welcomed the publication of the Government’s Youth Justice White Paper and have met with the Chair of the Youth Justice Board as part of the Committee’s work on youth custody. We have also taken evidence on alternatives to custody, particularly for women offenders, where community-based approaches can often achieve better outcomes than short prison sentences.
This week the Justice Committee publishes a major report on the Courts & Tribunals Bill, including its controversial proposals to limit jury trials. In advance of publication I wrote an article on the Bill for The Chiswick Calendar.
On Monday I spent the morning in HMP Wormwood Scrubs talking to prisoners serving sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP).
I also spoke in a debate on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which was talked out in the House of Lords by a handful of Peers opposed to the Bill.
I was one of 140 Labour MPs who wrote to the Foreign Secretary this week calling for an end to trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. In total 240 MPs are now supporting this. Today the Foreign Secretary has announced further sanctions against violent settlers and strengthened the Government’s position on discouraging trade with illegal settlements. However, there is a very strong demand from MPs to go further than this and ban any trade in goods and services with illegal settlements in occupied territories.
Constituency News
Chiswick Post Office
Post Office Ltd has now launched its consultation on the future of Chiswick Post Office, and I would encourage residents and businesses to respond before the consultation closes on 3 July.
If approved, the Post Office would relocate to Robert Dyas later this summer. Having worked with Post Office Ltd for more than a year to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the service, I believe this is a positive outcome. It would provide a secure long-term home for the Post Office in a central location while also benefiting both businesses.
There has been some discussion about alternative options, including a stand-alone Post Office. However, Post Office Ltd has made clear that this is not the model it wishes to pursue, and in practice it would likely be less secure than the proposal currently on the table.
I know the prolonged uncertainty has been frustrating for many residents. While there is still a process to go through, it is encouraging that a viable long-term solution now appears to be within reach. I am also grateful to Hounslow Council for its support in helping to secure the future of this important local service.
The challenge now is to achieve a similar outcome in Hammersmith, which has been without a main Post Office since the closure of the branch in WH Smith.
Grenfell: Uncovered
Next Sunday, 14 June will be the 9th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire. In advance of this the Met Police announced they would hand their evidence to the CPS by September with a view to prosecutions being launched before the 10th anniversary.
I attended a discussion in Parliament this month on Grenfell: Uncovered, the BAFTA-nominated documentary examining the events surrounding the Grenfell Tower fire and its aftermath. The event brought together parliamentarians, campaigners and those involved in making the film to discuss the lessons that still need to be learned almost a decade on from the tragedy.
Grenfell remains one of the most significant public disasters in recent British history, and it is important that the voices of survivors and bereaved families continue to be heard. The documentary is available to watch on Netflix, and I would encourage anyone interested in understanding the wider context of the disaster and the long campaign for accountability to do so.
Meeting THIS in Parliament
I was pleased to welcome representatives from THIS to Parliament as part of a lobby day promoting plant-based diets. Based locally in Hammersmith, THIS has grown rapidly in recent years and its products are now stocked in major supermarkets across the UK.
Following our meeting, I will be writing to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in support of the company’s 10-point plan and the wider contribution that businesses in this sector can make to a more sustainable food system.
Eid Al-Adha
I attended celebrations for Eid Al-Adha, one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. Thanks to the wonderful weather, there were large gatherings across the constituency, including in Wormholt and Wendell Parks, Wormwood Scrubs and Eel Brook Common.
It was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day, bringing together families and communities to celebrate. I was very pleased to join local residents and honoured to be part of the celebrations. Eid Mubarak to everyone who marked the occasion.
Visit by the Irish President
I recently visited the Irish Cultural Centre to meet Irish President Catherine Connolly during her first official visit to the United Kingdom. It was a wonderful event showcasing Irish music, dance and culture, and the President was clearly impressed by the quality of performances on display.
The Irish Cultural Centre has become one of the leading venues for Irish culture anywhere in the UK, and we are very fortunate to have it here in Hammersmith. It continues to play an important role in celebrating the strong cultural links between west London and Ireland.
Tech She Can
I recently visited Hammersmith Academy to see a workshop organised by Tech She Can as part of its national AI Roadshow. Students were challenged to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world problems, using tools such as Microsoft Copilot and then presenting their ideas to a judging panel.
It was impressive to see the creativity and confidence of the students, as well as the thoughtful way they approached both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Programmes like this play an important role in developing digital skills and encouraging more young people, particularly girls, to consider careers in technology.
W4 Youth
I joined a panel discussion hosted by W4 Youth at the Chiswick Cinema during Mental Health Awareness Week to discuss loneliness among young people. The event, chaired by Jeremy Vine, brought together local organisations and community leaders to explore practical ways of tackling what is an increasingly significant issue for many young people.
W4 Youth does excellent work throughout the year, providing sports and arts activities for young people and helping to reduce isolation by creating opportunities for friendship, confidence and community. It was a valuable discussion and a reminder of the importance of investing in youth services and early support.
Big Paddle Cleanup
I was pleased to join the Big Paddle Cleanup on the Thames this weekend and meet members of Chiswick Pier Canoe Club, who paddled down to Hammersmith to help clear the foreshore of rubbish, debris and plastic pollution.
The Thames is one of west London’s greatest assets, and keeping it clean and safe requires the efforts of volunteers as well as public bodies. My thanks to everyone who took part in the cleanup and gave up their time to improve our local environment.
Celebrating Jeanne Deroin
I attended a ceremony at Margravine Cemetery to mark the installation of a memorial on the grave of Jeanne Deroin. Deroin was one of the leading French socialists of the 19th century and is widely recognised as the first woman to stand for parliament.
She spent part of her life in Shepherds Bush, including on Cobbold Road, and taught French to both William Morris and W B Yeats. The event was organised by Bren Simson and Ruth Savery of the Friends of Margravine Cemetery, whose work continues to highlight the remarkable local history of the area.
Upcoming events
W B Yeats in Bedford Park
There are a couple of excellent events coming up this month celebrating the life and legacy of W B Yeats and his connection to Bedford Park.
On 18 June, St Michael and All Angels Church will host a poetry evening featuring special guest Imtiaz Dharker. This will be followed on 21 June by a literary walk exploring the places associated with Yeats in west London, starting at Ravenscourt Park station and finishing near Turnham Green.
Both events are organised by the W B Yeats Bedford Park Art Project and offer a wonderful opportunity to explore an important part of Chiswick’s cultural history. Tickets are available through the project.
Addison Singers
The Addison Singers will be holding their summer concert, Voyage, on Saturday 27 June at 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church on Southfield Road. The programme includes Bob Chilcott’s The Voyage, alongside music by Elgar, Morten Lauridsen and others, as well as the classic Come Fly With Me.
It promises to be an enjoyable evening of choral music and tickets are available through the Addison Singers website, with discounted prices for under-16s.