Hounslow Citizens takes action ahead of local elections
Hounslow Citizens leaders set out their vision for the borough over the next council's term
57 Hounslow Citizens leaders gathered on Tuesday 21st April at St Mary's Church to call on the next local authority to work with them to double the number Living Wage accredited businesses in the borough, tackle insecure work, raise housing standards, and improve access to community space.
Specific asks on each of these themes were put to Shantanu Rajawat (Labour Party), Peter Thompson (Conservative Party), and Guy Lambert (Green Party) in order to improve the lives of ordinary people and their families across Hounslow.
These have arisen from the ‘listening campaign’ conducted by Hounslow Citizens across the borough over the last 6 months in our diverse member institutions.
Members of the local community came together at this roundtable event to set out this agenda to candidates for office and seek commitments. They are the faith leaders, community workers and young people whose leadership in local civil society makes Hounslow what it is.
In the words of Rev. Elis Matthews of our host institution in his concluding reflection: “The table has been round - no head, just level ground. When we listen - truly listen - we move from ‘you and I’ to ‘we and us.’ Because Hounslow is our home, and it belongs to all of us.”
As Quakers we are committed to forging a more equal, sustainable and peaceful world. One way we do this is through our work in Hounslow Citizens. In partnership with other members of our community, we have worked together to find out what are the most pressing needs of our members and neighbours and these form the basis of the requests we have made to those hoping to become Councillors following the May elections. Be sure, we will be holding these politicians to account on these commitments over the coming year.
Bernadette O'Shea, roundtable co-chair, Brentford & Isleworth Quakers
At Paniym City Church our purpose is Community Transformation, and this work is a practical expression of that calling. The roundtable was vital because it centres local priorities, builds constructive relationships with candidates, and supports a healthier, more accountable local democracy.
Flint N. Mcllister, roundtable co-chair, Paniym City Church