Author Archives: hmgupdated

The council works much better when the opposition works as a critical friend, assisting the administration whenever possible and suggesting healthy alternatives whenever necessary. In Harrow, the performance of the opposition Tory group,  enjoying over £250,000 public money in allowances per year, is very weak under Cllr Hall’s leadership, leading to inadequate challenge regarding suchContinue reading “Opposition leader Cllr Hall needs to step down”

As Harrow East MP Bob Blackman has swiftly changed his direction from opposing Theresa May’s position to ‘remain’ in EU, to backing her, now prime minister, would he be able to remind Mrs May about the deprivation in Harrow, a place she visited to unsuccessfully uplift Tory profile at the elections. London poverty and theContinue reading “Could Harrow gain from recent socio-political changes?”

London March for Europe on 2 July 2016 (click here to watch the video) packed the Whitehall, Westminster Bridge, Parliament Square and adjoining streets – estimated over 50,000 people at a very short notice – giving clear messages: Lies in the EU referendum campaign discredit the referendum outcome We must not let right-wing narrow nationalismContinue reading “EU vote – what next?”

Remain 54.6% 64042 votes      Leave 45.4% 53183 votes Good that Harrow reacted moderately to the right-wing politics of hate/ fear/ and scaremongering. However, Harrow has to face the adverse impact of ‘leave’ like more expensive goods and holidays because of a low pound not seen since 1985. Describing the economic climate, Dennis de Jong, managingContinue reading “Harrow voted remain”

Quite understandable why the Harrow council opposition is almost in hibernation – Cllr Hall, who now leads a highly divided group as 42.31% members of her group did not vote for her at the recent leadership election and the group researcher leaving, is under police investigation – but odd that Harrow council is too quietContinue reading “All very quiet at the council!”

The Early Years Strategy report to the Harrow cabinet points out that the most disadvantaged in the borough are more likely not to attend early years provision, due to the high rates of childcare costs – the most commonly used types of registered childcare are day nurseries. This disparity is concerning considering that Harrow’s SpecialContinue reading “Equality gaps in Harrow Childcare”

In a public presentation, the Harrow Council meeting on 19 May is to mark their appreciation of the forty-five years service by Councillor Christine Bednell to the London Borough of Harrow. Since the creation of the London Borough of Harrow in 1964, no other councillor has given such long and diligent service. Christine, a ConservativeContinue reading “Appreciation for Cllr Bednell’s long service to the Harrow Council”

Soon after supporting the commonly condemned race specific and divisive campaign for London mayoral election, the Tory MP asked the Secretary of State for Health, how many tests for vitamin D were carried out in England in the last three years and the cost for providing such tests. It is common knowledge that Asians inContinue reading “Harrow East MP’s take on vitamin D”

Update: Cllr Hall was not seen at the social gathering at the Members Lounge after Harrow Mayor-making on 19/5/2016, perhaps to avoid embarrassment due to the police investigating her non-declaration of pecuniary interest at a council meeting or not to shake hand to greet the incoming mayor Cllr Rekha Shah which conventionally takes place atContinue reading “Things must be bad for Cllr Hall”

As predicted,  Cllr Sachin Shah has been elected as the leader of the Labour group and will lead the council from May 2016. Cllr Keith Ferry remains as the deputy leader. We wish them well! Sachin, Bsc (Hons), a Queensbury ward councillor, was first elected to the council  in 2010. He is Finance and MajorContinue reading “Breaking news about council leadership”