Tories vow to ‘Fix Hounslow’ as Labour slams ‘austerity’ agenda

Hounslow’s local election campaign intensified this week following the launch of the Conservative ‘Fixing Hounslow’ manifesto, promising a ‘back to basics’ approach to the borough. The move has sparked a sharp war of words, with Labour hitting back by dismissing the opposition’s proposals as a return to ‘failed austerity’.

The Tory manifesto, formally launched last Friday evening before a crowd of candidates and supporters, sets the party’s priorities for the next four years. Key pledges include cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, support for high streets, and what the party calls ‘a more common-sense approach’ to transport and council finances.

Speaking at the launch, Councillor Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council, said: “Residents across Hounslow are telling us the same thing: they are paying more and getting less.

“Council Tax keeps going up, but too many of the basic services people rely on are still falling short.

“Our manifesto is about getting Hounslow back to basics — cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, better local services, stronger support for our high streets, sensible transport policies, and a council that respects taxpayers and actually listens.

“And let’s be clear: if residents want change in Hounslow, only the Conservatives can replace Labour.”

At the launch, Councillor Allan Joseph said the manifesto reflected a clear desire from residents for a council that focuses on the everyday issues that affect people’s lives.

He said: “Across Hounslow, residents want a council that is focused on the basics: clean streets, safer neighbourhoods, properly maintained roads and pavements, stronger support for young people, and local services that people can actually rely on.

“This manifesto is about putting those everyday priorities back at the centre of how the borough is run.”

Cllr Thompson added: “This is not a glossy brochure or a list of empty promises. It is a serious and practical plan for how Hounslow can be run differently.

“Local government should be judged on whether it can get the basics right, and too many residents feel that under Labour, the basics are too often being missed.”

The response from the Labour camp was swift and uncompromising with Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Labour, questioning the viability of the Conservative plans, labelling them a threat to the borough’s stability.

He said: “We are used to the Conservative Party being something of a political afterthought these days, but it’s important to remind residents just how dangerous they are to the borough’s long term future.

“This manifesto is a document steeped in the failed austerity agenda that brought this country to its knees. They’ve had four years sat on their hands to work out a viable agenda and have failed miserably.

“Labour’s manifesto is fully costed and offers real hope for the future, showing it’s possible to be both ambitious and financially responsible.’’

With polling day on 7th May looming, the Conservatives described the launch as the start of the ‘final phase’ of their campaign.