The Harrow East Conservatives are once again facing questions about the judgement they exercise when selecting political figures to headline local events. The latest guest at the party’s summer lunch in Stanmore was Conservative MP and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp. His appearance alongside Harrow East MP Bob Blackman is unlikely to surprise local observers.Continue reading “Questions over Harrow East Conservatives’ choice of high-profile guests”
Category Archives: editorial
Blackman’s convenient amnesia on youth unemployment
Bob Blackman’s criticism of Labour’s Employment Rights Act, following his written question to the Department for Business and Trade about its impact on young people’s employment prospects, follows a familiar opposition script: find a worrying statistic, blame the current government, and ignore the role your own party played in creating the problem. His argument isContinue reading “Blackman’s convenient amnesia on youth unemployment”
Sir Sadiq Khan’s peerage recognises results, not rhetoric
Sir Sadiq Khan’s appointment to the House of Lords is a well-deserved recognition of a mayoralty that has delivered real results for London. Over three terms, he has helped make the capital a better place to live while championing investment in communities that too often feel overlooked. The government described Sir Sadiq as “a brilliantContinue reading “Sir Sadiq Khan’s peerage recognises results, not rhetoric”
Harrow must not catch the politics of fear and hate
If some attention-seeking local politicians and social media posts are to be believed, Britain, and London in particular, appears to be a country where little happens beyond rape, grooming gangs and calls for the deportation of ‘undesirable’ elements, as though Britain should return to the era when it transported its own undesirables to distant colonies.Continue reading “Harrow must not catch the politics of fear and hate”
Heatwave alerts are easy – climate action is harder
As temperatures reached record levels this week, Harrow Council was quick to issue heatwave warnings across its social media platforms, advising residents to stay hydrated, avoid the midday sun and check on vulnerable neighbours. The advice was sensible, but hardly new. By the time the Council’s messages appeared, residents had already been inundated with theContinue reading “Heatwave alerts are easy – climate action is harder”
Harrow celebrates new HMO restrictions as critics question political spin and housing impact
Harrow Council has approved a new Article 4 Direction requiring planning permission for the conversion of family homes into smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), a move the authority says will help tackle concerns over noise, rubbish, anti-social behaviour and the loss of family-sized housing. Council leaders have described the decision as a major stepContinue reading “Harrow celebrates new HMO restrictions as critics question political spin and housing impact”
Harrow enforcement scandal raises wider questions over contractor oversight
Harrow Council’s decision to remove two enforcement officers after footage emerged allegedly showing threatening and aggressive behaviour has not ended the controversy. If anything, it has intensified questions about how private enforcement staff are recruited, trained and supervised before they are authorised to act in the council’s name. The council said it took “swift action”Continue reading “Harrow enforcement scandal raises wider questions over contractor oversight”
West London Waste Plan – scrutiny or rubber stamp?
On 9 June 2026, Harrow’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee is being asked to consider the Proposed Submission version of the West London Waste Plan and supporting documents running to around 1,216 pages. Just two days later, Cabinet is scheduled to consider the same material. This raises an obvious question: can non-specialist councillors realistically scrutinise suchContinue reading “West London Waste Plan – scrutiny or rubber stamp?”
Would Harrow Healthwatch be missed?
The Government’s plans to abolish Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch organisations, including Healthwatch Harrow, make good sense. For years, residents have been told that Healthwatch was the independent voice of patients. Yet across Harrow, many are asking a simple question: what difference has it actually made? Healthwatch Harrow has produced reports, surveys and consultation exercises,Continue reading “Would Harrow Healthwatch be missed?”
A steady hand for Harrow’s challenging Housing brief
The appointment of Chris Baxter as Harrow Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing should be welcomed as a serious and constructive step at an important moment for the borough. Housing remains one of the most difficult and politically sensitive responsibilities facing any local authority. In Harrow, residents have voiced legitimate frustrations over repairs, temporary accommodation, communicationContinue reading “A steady hand for Harrow’s challenging Housing brief”
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