Forum Topic

Hanwell says NO to the slots

Thank you to the organisers of today’s rally at the clock tower, and to everyone who turned out to support it. For those who don’t know, there’s a plan to open a so-called “bingo hall” in the heart of our community but in reality, it’s a 24-hour slot casino.Many of us believe it’s wrong. It was fantastic to see so many local residents and representatives standing together against it.  It’s important we stand together to stop this. Once again, thank you to everyone taking part and fighting to protect our neighbourhood.  Please add your voice here: https://tinyurl.com/2hvz97w2

Mark callan ● 119d79 Comments

Hard luck Julian, wrong with your lazy assumptions there. I’ve no connection to Pure Gaming and certainly don’t have a gambling problem, although I do have an excellent record of picking Grand National winners.You seem to be very invested in this, yet I don’t see any alternative proposals from you or your chum Polly for the site. Maybe a much needed coffee shop? Or a safe space for you to smoke? Or maybe just leave the building to slowly deteriorate as so many others do in the area.Personally I’d like to see the council make an effort to create community facilities in areas like Hanwell, a youth centre perhaps. Something affordable and accessible and attractive to those currently with little to occupy them. The council will say there’s no money, although they found enough cash to give themselves huge allowance increases straight after the 2022 elections and another big increase this year. £57,000 a year for Polly as a cabinet member.Can you not recognise political opposition when it happens? Cllr Knewstub didn’t start this campaign but saw an opportunity with elections next year. She even got cabinet colleagues to turn up in the summer including the chair of the planning committee despite it not being in his ward and despite his conflict of interest in being there. Funny how they don’t listen when thousands of residents campaign against things that this political clique support.Hijacking a community festive event for a political rally is just crass. It will also make not a jot of difference to the planning inspector unless he’s been invited along for some mulled wine and mince pies.Higjlighting thisbisnt being counterproductive, as you put it. It’s called transparency.

Simon Hayes ● 13h

"Some people might think the ‘bingo hall’ might be a good thing, bringing employment to an area where a lot of businesses are closing down thanks to government and council tax hikes."The 'some' you can count on one hand vs the 2000+ residents that rightly objected to the proposal. Seems clear to me you either for for Pure Gaming Limited or you have a gambling problem....then again the two go hand in hand.Polly is doing all she can - what are you doing? naff all but being counterproductive.

Julian Poole ● 21h

I have had three experiences where LBE rightly "Refused" planning applications on very sound grounds.Yes, I know, wottasurprise that!Ayway, along comes The Planning Inspectorate upon appeal and, Voila! Decision overturned and Appeal Granted on all three!I can only surmise that the PI hates LBE, and/or just enjoys their ultimate power and is deliberately perverse.Either way, be VERY afraid when the PI steps into the picture.Yet another example, as if we need more, of the absolute rot decaying our society for decades now.

Rosco White ● 1d

There is an appeal and it’s not being decided by the council but the planning inspectorate instead. There’s a lot of rabble rousing going on by Cllr Polly Knewstub (an Extinction Rebellion supporter) to hijack the Christmas lights switch in this Friday with a protest rally.It’s not the appropriate occasion to hold such a rally, detracting from a festive occasion for a political purpose. Nor will it make a jot of difference to the adjudicator who won’t see or hear any of it.The correct process is written submissions, either for or against.This is pure bandwagon jumping by Knewstub. She’s totally absent in supporting residents opposed to massive new developments in the area that are doing nothing to improve or enhance Hanwell.Ironically, the council doesn’t even bother contesting planning appeals from the likes of John Lewis, and didn’t even bother getting its planning committee to rule on that particular development.Some people might think the ‘bingo hall’ might be a good thing, bringing employment to an area where a lot of businesses are closing down thanks to government and council tax hikes.

Simon Hayes ● 1d

I've just had an email through from Ealing Council which seems to suggest that the company involved is appealing against Ealing's decline of their proposal for a 24 hr slot machine emporium. I may have got it wrong and I would welcome further assistance.

Peter Tolhust ● 1d

You don't of course have to be a practising Christian to give up something for Lent.  Many if not most other religions ask followers to take part in some sort of abstinence or of denial of something.  Is giving up something for a New Year's Resolution so religion connected I don't think so - so it should be easier but I guess even easier would be the now fashionable month of doing something differently.  It's a good test of strength of character and group efforts give a boost to the challenge and strength in resilience to temptation!

Philippa Bond ● 39d

Giving things up for Lent is probably obsolete because the numbers of practising Christians is rapidly diminishing and even those that do go to church don’t think it’s necessary. It was always an exercise in self-discipline and that’s in short supply these days. A Catholic priest friend of mine always asked people to do something positive for that period as it often had benefits that lasted well beyond Easter.As for the gambling explosion under New Labour, it was a cunning plan to revitalise high streets and areas suffering from underinvestment. There was even a plan to put a super casino in The O2 before it opened in 2006, though that never came to pass. All that happened was bookmakers concentrating clusters of betting terminals in their shops, often in poorer areas of the country.Quite why Blair, Brown and co thought encouraging gambling would help anyone other than the real beneficiaries in that industry,  the online casinos and bookies, has never been explained. Another great political idea that created more problems than it solved. It’s still not regulated, with football betting particularly aggressively marketed despite supposed tighter controls.A cynic might suggest there’s something in it for the politicians.

Simon Hayes ● 47d

I was very disappointed when the Labour Govt legalised gambling  or whatever they did as I wondered why when I felt it would just encourage more and make it easier for people to become addicted to it but perhaps it being illegal can cause worse problems?I find it rather worrying nowadays that nobody seems to even try to give up anything sensible for Lent or New Year (instead of things they don't do/eat anyway).  It's a good personal challenge  - of self-control and not even giving it a try 'because I never succeed' is very defeatist. It's sad we seem to have become such a self-indulgent society.  How did we get here?

Philippa Bond ● 47d

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/10/high-street-slot-machine-shops-pay-staff-bonuses-linked-to-how-much-gamblers-lose?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Ben Owen ● 48d

There is much to commend development in Acton such a shame that two of the councillors driving it forward, the mother and son team of Kate and Daniel Crawford, have both been deselected because they upset the cabal running this corrupt council

N V Brooks ● 111d

Paul is very selective in what he does and doesn’t like. No problem with crime in a park, but shouts the odds about ‘too many cars’ all the time. Weirdo behaviour.West Ealing clearly has very serious issues, hence the creation of the West Ealing Action Group by the council. It has published a document outlining its objectives, although a £50,000 grant won’t go far with the inevitable consultants involved. One aspect they mention is ‘designing out crime’, although if that just means shifting the criminals out of the area you are just moving the problem elsewhere.Whether there’s actually a political will to reverse the decline of the area is moot. LBE has alienated its development partners over the introduction of CIL (more expensive for builders but better for communities that will see money spent on infrastructure). There are enough derelict, or half built properties on Uxbridge Road that may stay that way for years to come.Acton is a good example of an area where improvements to infrastructure have been positively, particularly the pool and cinema there. Give people something to have pride in and the may actually look after it.Finally, there is an issue with street crime across the borough, hence the continued implementation of an antisocial behaviour order across the whole of Ealing. That’s not normal.

Simon Hayes ● 111d

Thank you Mark, a lovely tonic for the unrelating doom and negativiy from the usual suspects on here.

Paul James ● 111d

I can't speak for Southall but I have lived in and around Acton for three decades. While it hasn't been a straight line improvement and somethings have got worse, I can say with confidence that there has been an overall improvement in that time.Not sure about the numbers but it certainly feels a lot safer than it used to 30 years ago. At that time there were parts you wouldn't even drive through let alone walk through particularly the South Acton estate. Now, I pass through parts I used to avoid regularly.Although the High Street shopping choice isn't much better over the years (with casinos a definitive negative) and the banks gone, there is more to do along here than there ever was in the past. The big change has been ActOne which is a fantastic addition but if we are talking over the last few decades we have a modern and affordable swimming pool and a very high quality library.Churchfield road may take one step back for every two steps forward but continues get gradually better with a really good array of cafes and restaurants. It doesn't have the hipster chic of a place like Camden or even Kensal Rise but it will be packed with people this sunny weekend.There has also been big leaps forward in our local parks over this period which were characterless dog toilets but now places like Acton Park and Gunnersbury Park are unrecognisable. I'd rather there weren't quite as many events in the latter but it does give Acton a bit of cachet that so many big name acts perform here and perhaps people complaining the most bitterly weren't around when there wasn't the money to maintain the park.It's true we don't have a Waitrose or a Marks but, in these straightened times I am thankfully for Lidl and a Poundland. I started to cook more during lockdown and it was only then I found out how amazingly stocked some of the stores on the High Street were particularly Safa and Hakkikat. For anyone with an Ottolenghi cookbook, they are a godsend.Yes there are gripes - the traffic on the High Street seems to get worse and worse and there are far too many delivery riders congregated in front of McDonalds.If all of this makes me a crawl arse (whatever that is) so be it but I really do resent people talking down the place where I live which I have come to love more and more year by year.

Mark Evans ● 111d

So I take it that your policy of seeing but not saying it also applies to turning a blind eye to open use of drugs in a public park. Says it all really doesn't it?  What are wonderful public spirited citizen.

N V Brooks ● 111d

Nothing to do with territory, taking a pride in our once glorious borough.It’s changed dreadfully, someone brought subject up, it’s been answered truthfully by several parties

Peter Yale ● 111d

>I used to love living in Ealing, why should I move?If I chose to, it would be to a better area that hasn’t been taken over & has common decencyIt's a territorial thing for you then? Just trying to work out why you're happy denigrating places as "sh*tholes" and cesspits.

Paul James ● 111d

I do trust that you reported the person using the crack pipe to the police thereby making the area more pleasant for families to enjoy or did you simply close your eyes to it?

N V Brooks ● 111d

>I don't get the 'motive'reasoning.If you see it,say it..simples.I really don't think it's as simple as that.For instance, why do I see it and not say it on here all the time, like I don't call these places sh*tholes, I was in an amazing cafe in west ealing just the other day really enjoying myself, I didn't feel the need to come on here and denigrate the entire area a sh*thole, why do some others?

Paul James ● 111d

I don't get the 'motive'reasoning.If you see it,say it..simples.

Keith Iddon ● 111d

>Talk about 'hesad in the sand'of putting your fingers in your ears and closing your eyes.Not really, I can see there are issues and problems as I've already said several times here (I saw somebody smoking a crack pipe in Dean Gardens just the other day), but also, loads of happy kids enjoying themselves), but I was out in Ealing last night and really enjoyed myself, ate well in a really nice place and walked thorugh a couple of very lovely parks to get home.So you can see why I think this picture being painted by the usual doom laden suspects on here of Ealing W5, w13 w7 etc... being "sh*tholes" and a "crime ridden cesspits" as being wide of the mark.Sure, I guess if you only want to see the bad stuff, fill your boots, like you can in any town really, which is why I'm asking about the motives of people doing this.

Paul James ● 111d

Talk about 'hesad in the sand'of putting your fingers in your ears and closing your eyes.There is a front page article about Ealing town cwntre now having a dedicated crime team because of the rising levels of incidents.249 in May alone.Ealing used to be called 'The Queen of Boroughs'.Any suggestions for a new,more fitting name? West Ealing is a mess with a murder recently.Have a walk around that area sometime and see how the high st. has deteriorated.

Keith Iddon ● 111d

There’s no motive as such, just describing facts seen on , pretty much a daily basis.I used to love living in Ealing, why should I move?If I chose to, it would be to a better area that hasn’t been taken over & has common decency

Peter Yale ● 111d

Sad really if you measure the success of an area by the brand of retail outlet it has. Still, I guess it means that Ealing Broadway attracts a better class of shoplifter and beggar.

N V Brooks ● 111d

Nobody has described Ealing as a utopia here, though it absolutly has some very paradisiacal parts.I was just questioning the motives of people describing  various parts of it as "sh*tholes" "crime ridden cesspits" etc... and asking why they don't move to the countryside if they really think this.Ealing broadway a crime ridden cesspit? Really, it's got a Gails!

Paul James ● 111d

"So anyone who doesn't share your right wing views is an indoctrinated labourite."No, as per Mr Iddon, anyone who tries to hold up this current Liebore Shower as doing some sort of good job is an indoctrinated Lieborite.And you are dead wrong about "regardless of which administration", there was an extremely high level of satisfaction under Jason Stacey and the last Conservative Council.So, wrong on two counts.  😁

Rosco White ● 112d

I've lived in the borough since the early eighties and I don't think Ealing has been particularly well run regardless of which administration is in power especially when I compare it to my home borough Hammersmith and Fulham.My reply was to an individual who continually abuses people with a different viewpoint to his so calling some a " crawlass" is more of the same.

David Burke ● 112d

I lived in the borough of Ealing from 1977 until 2002 and know the borough quite well as a result.Anyone who doesn't think that most parts of the borough from Acton to Southall haven't gone down hill on roller skates since then either hasn't been around long enough to compare,is a political crawl arse,or is just disagreeing for the sake of an argument.Or am I wrong and how have things improved?

Keith Iddon ● 112d

So anyone who doesn't share your right wing views is an indoctrinated labourite.There's a lot of us looking at the make up of the Council.Better get your marching boots on at the next Council election.

David Burke ● 112d

But Mr Hayes, Mr Southwell asserts ...." However, due to the failure of anyone to single out such like in Ealing, I'm starting to think we may be blessed with a unique slate of diligent and committed representatives."    🤣

Rosco White ● 112d

There are decent councillors in all parties but the danger for Labour ones is deselection should they be too supportive of residents opposed to council schemes. Dan and Kate Crawford have been removed from the Labour list for next year’s election for this very reason.What became very apparent during the LTN fiasco was the willingness of some of these weirdos to lie unashamedly to residents in meetings. Driscoll did, and he’s done the same over Lammas Park despite being proven wrong on almost every point challenged on.Others like Cllr Manro display a level of incompetence that defies belief. His handling of the housing portfolio over the years has failed to bring him even an ounce of insight or understanding of the processes. He was unaware that buildings can be locally listed to protect them from planning applications, something that had to be pointed out to him in regards to the East Lodge in Lammas Park.In previous administrations we had people like Mik Sabiers, who was so uninterested in his South Acton ward he decamped to Camden without telling anyone. Still took his full cabinet allowance though.And then there’s Peter Mason, who enjoyed mocking those he represents on Twitter and turned up for meetings only to spend the whole time so engrossed in his laptop his contribution was nil.

Simon Hayes ● 112d

No one said that you did, the nom des plumes to which I refer are the epithets rightly ascribed to fantasists with their singular fixations.Once the fantasising stops I am sure that the vituperation from I and others towards individuals displaying such 'qualities' with rapidly diminish.

N V Brooks ● 112d

Hanwell is not Ealing. It may be L B Of Ealing but it's far from Ealing proper.And always will be.

Simon Wycombe ● 112d

>There are those routinely attract personal abuse and are receipt of numerous nom des plumesYou routinely call me names and abuse me on here Nigel, I have no other accounts on this service.

Paul James ● 112d

The alien, if it could be bothered to land. Firstly be broken into, needs to bring spare change for crackheads, find space among the broken glass & debris.I feel like an alien  going down there.Used to be lovely, entitled to Queen of the suburbs title, not anymore

Peter Yale ● 112d

There are those routinely attract personal abuse and are receipt of numerous nom des plumes. Perhaps the fact that they post unsubstantiated rubbish and fantasise about totally fabricated scenarios would have something to do with this. Until the fantasizing and idiocy subsides let the abuse continue. One day, the idiots will get the message.

N V Brooks ● 112d

If I were an alien landing on this board, Ealing is a "shithole" a "crime ridden cesspit" and all its councillors are wastes of space and corrupt, and if you try an argue with them on any of that they resort to personal abuse and name calling.They seem to hate Ealing so much without a good thing to say about it whilst looking through their s**t tinted glasses I can't see how they don't up sticks and move to the countryside!?

Paul James ● 112d

Spoken like true indoctrinated Lieborites Messrs Southwell and Evans!Wake up and smell the coffee.Oh, and read the postings on here. ALL of them.We have a lovely Council.  🤣

Rosco White ● 112d

The thing about Cllr Johnson is that she isn't unusual and good local governance across the country depends on people like her. Just to be clear my point here is not that Ealing councillors are all brilliant and should be above criticism (my only post on the front page of this forum expresses reservations about the borough's fly-tipping policy). What I am against is the pervasive negative whine that 'they are all as bad as each other' and nobody who gets elected does so with good intentions. My experience, across a range of local authorities and the political spectrum is that this could not be further from the truth. It was satisfying to see Rosco's typical vague unsubstantiated grumblings blown out of the water by Mark. It has been typical of this thread that we hear lots of unevidenced claims that councillors are bad but no names and no details. While I will defend people who give up their time to serve in general, if people are abusing their office then a harsh spotlight should be shone on them. The initial criticism of councillors in this thread was that if anything they were too diligent in their support of the campaign to ban the Hanwell slot casino. I am totally convinced that if they had kept their mouths shut on the issue, the same people would be blasting them for inaction.

Gordon Southwell ● 112d

Non-specific complaints have been mentioned about South Acton councillors but no details have been provided which is hardly compelling proof of their worth.I don't know much about Josh Blacker and Katie Douglas has only recently been elected but everyone who has any involvement in the ward is aware of the value that Yvonne Johnson brings to the role of councillor. As well as serving in numerous positions within the council including Mayor, she is the governor of a local school and was one of the founders of Acton Homeless Concern. She has been involved in a wide range of campaigns, many of which have been successful, over the last few decades and has worked tirelessly to help the less well off during that time.She has probably done more work for the community in the last week than all of the people criticising councillors have done over their lifetimes.

Mark Evans ● 112d

Is the slot machine emporium 'Jesters' still in West Ealing, Uxbridge Road?  I haven't looked recently.  I expect the premises is now a Polish grocers/Turkish'barbers'/nail'boutique'.

Tony Heath ● 113d

Mr Southwell will NOT like your posting Mr Hayes.  🤣Do we bother to mention one or more notorious Planning Committee members?As I have said Mr Southwell, you're assertion is such a howler it could ONLY be uttered by a Lobotomised Local Liebore Lemming.  😉

Rosco White ● 113d

Unless there’s a compelling reason for refusal, and Nimbyism doesn’t count (as it doesn’t for other planning applications), it will be granted a license. The 2005 Gambling Act is the relevant case law. Ironically a Tony Blair government policy!This article sums up the problem for local authorities:‘ https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/licensing/399-licensing-news/60764-group-of-local-authorities-demands-greater-licensing-and-planning-powers-over-gambling-premises’As for councillors who did nothing for residents but everything for themselves in put forward Julian Bell, whose 10 year catastrophe of an administration left Ealing at the mercy of developers while he looked after himself very nicely. Two homes for a start…including a social housing property wasn’t entitled to.

Simon Hayes ● 113d

What do you all reckon,will you get the slots no matter what you all think?

Keith Iddon ● 113d

"not one councillor has been identified as verifiably doing a poor job for their ward and the council in general"Yep, you definitely don't read many posts on here, do you Mr Southwell.Let's start with the South Acton Ward Councillors, who have been complained about multiple times on here.You write good missives then let yourself down with howlers like that. 😂

Rosco White ● 113d

It doesn't undermine my case at all it just seems to reinforce the fact that standards have slipped. The one thing I will never be Gordon, unlike your good self, is an apologist for the lackluster bunch currently occupying the town hall. I have lived in this borough all my life and they are bloody woeful and I am sick of people blaming external factors for their underperformance.

N V Brooks ● 113d

If councillors are being 'named, shamed and ejected' from their parties, does this not tend to contradict your claims of a terminal decline in standards of public life? I am not so familiar with events in Hounslow but I am aware that one councillor was dethroned due to lack of effort, however among the others there would be Guy Lambert whose reputation for hard work on behalf of his constituents has crossed the border. It hardly strengthens your case that you have to look at another borough for examples. However, for all the sound and fury from some people on this matter, not one councillor has been identified as verifiably doing a poor job for their ward and the council in general. This is surprising as there must be some, one thing that people with experience in these matters agree on is that lazy and feckless councillors do exist in every authority. However, due to the failure of anyone to single out such like in Ealing, I'm starting to think we may be blessed with a unique slate of diligent and committed representatives.

Gordon Southwell ● 113d

In neighbouring Hounslow three councillors have, since the last election, being named shamed and ejected from their respective parties. There is much disquiet about a number of others all those some of this is based on them attending the  "wrong" place of worship.  It is without doubt that that situation,save for the praying in the wrong place element, is replicated in Ealing and other similar boroughs To deny that is foolhardy.My brother-in-law was deputy leader of a small rural council around 50 miles away until his party lost their majority.  I know how damned hard he worked for his constituents however the party now empower our lackluster and do the absolute bare minimum save for voting themselves significant increases in allowances. When challenged they simply close ranks.  Remind you of anywhere?

N V Brooks ● 113d

"If you have personal experience with a councillor who has proven to be not worthy of office in your view, we should hear about it"Do you bother to read the other postings on here, Councillors get named, as you should and I am sure, do know.

Rosco White ● 113d

I don’t spend much of my life talking to councillors but I do have a relative who serves as one and a good friend who spent many years as a ward representative. In addition, I have encountered socially or professionally others and spoken with them. Acknowledging the limitations of this pool of evidence, what I can say is that the picture they present is very different from the dystopian view you have which seems to be based on nothing other that your very bleak view of the human condition. People who serve on the other hand present a very different picture and seem regularly to credit their most bitter political opponents with the virtue of diligence. Councillors who swing the lead and just stick around to collect allowances do exist, but they are necessarily in the minority because they are deeply unpopular with colleagues who have to pick up the slack. Some councillors do need allowances to make end meet and some don’t fully earn them but most spending an amount of time on council business that effectively means that their hourly rate is well below the minimum wage. I don’t monitor the activities of every councillor in the borough and I doubt you do either (if you did that would be really strange), so just because you don’t hear from a councillor doesn’t mean they are inactive. Most casework will be relating to housing, adult social care and, increasingly special needs education for which privacy considerations prevent councillors posting about what they are doing on social media. If you have personal experience with a councillor who has proven to be not worthy of office in your view, we should hear about it. Nobody is disputing that they exist but if they aren't put in the spotlight then they will continue to get elected.

Gordon Southwell ● 113d

You're on a sticky wicket Mr Southwell, I can't agree with your view.What is your opinion on Ward Councillors who vote as directed to by their Party? Or do you believe they vote entirely independently with zero coercion?  😄There are SOME Ward Councillors as you describe, but not very many. And nearly all of them are Non-Liebore.

Rosco White ● 114d

If that comment is aimed at me, I can assure you I speak of facts.Harry Greenway & Steve Pound, no problem.The several times I have raised issues with councillors, it’s like getting blood from a stone.Either completely blanked or lip service.Nigel is correct, they come out of the woodwork election time

Peter Yale ● 114d

I wish that I was wrong. There are any number who are only visible every four years when it comes to seeking a vote. These are the supposed public servants who would not survive in the real world with a whole list of publicly funded non-jobs and their noses firmly embedded in the publicly financed trough. The whole complexion of, and concept of, public service in local government has changed beyond all recognition and not for the better.

N V Brooks ● 114d

You may think that but you are wrong. Many of the councillors I was referring to remain in post. Of those that might qualify for extra allowances above the basic level, they either earned far more during their careers or could easily increase the amount they earned by giving up being a councillor and using the time to work extra hours in their profession. Most councillors are effectively making a financial sacrifice to take up the role.

Gordon Southwell ● 114d

Gordon, with respect I think you may have been out of the loop for a little too long. The days of community service and altruism within local government are long long gone. It is now no longer about serving the community but serving the individual and I wonder how many of our current batch of councillors would continue to deliver if the very generous scheme of allowances was, as example,halved in value.

N V Brooks ● 114d

Gordon, with respect I think you may have been out of the loop for a little too long. The days of community service and altruism within local government are long long gone. It is now no longer about serving the community but serving the individual and I wonder how many of our current batch of councillors would continue to deliver if the very generous scheme of allowances was, as example,halved in value.

N V Brooks ● 114d

What a peevish and unjustifiable comment. Over the years I've met many councillors from all parties and the overwhelming proportion are decent people committed to public service. I suspect you have never actually had a face to face conversation with any elected representative and your negative view is based on your inability to comprehend altruism.

On the casino, I would agree with the previous comment that these gaming arcades don't seem to be a magnet for anti-social behaviour. This could be because there hardly ever seems to be anyone in them. In turn this begs the question as to why they are proliferating so much across the UK. Given they are one of the few remaining business types that brings in hard money cash, residents need to have reassurance that the regulatory oversight of this business is robust enough to guarantee that there is no involvement in money laundering.

Gordon Southwell ● 114d

No objection at all, assuming it’s all transparent.None of the councillors nowadays can be trusted or believed.

Peter Yale ● 117d

Councillors across both sides are wanting to get the objection numbers to above the 2,000 mark. They were telling people that different people in the same household are allowed to object separately.  Has anyone any objection to this canvassing?

Ben Owen ● 117d

What is the actual concern here?Surely the local homeless/drunks/druggies  can stay in there rather than litter the clock tower? Plus any decent customers will increase local trade. Admittedly I don't live nearby but the ones in Ealing Broadway  seem to have very few problems from what i have heard.

Simon Wycombe ● 118d

I always have time for such discerning folks as yourself Mr Brooks.  😊And just as I have admiration for one or more Lefty politicians (The Beast Of Bolsover) I equally have time for fair minded Lefties who can see integrity in non Liebore politicians (Thatcher).Thing is, such fair minded Lefties are like the proverbial rocking horse siht.  🤣

Rosco White ● 118d

Thought that was Michael Hesseltine with the mace, as Tarzan.Anyway gone right off him with his anti Brexit infatuation

Peter Yale ● 118d

Eric, my comment was not aimed at you. For what it's worth:I am a bit too young to remember Thomas Paine! Apart from one or two on that list of yours I will agree with you. Kenneth Clark was  superb as was Alan Clark - along with his memorable put down to Tarzan!

Ben Owen ● 118d

Jason was a wonderful guy who would engage with people on the steps of Ealing Town hall not hiding behind some excuse for a political cabinet He gave up his four time job to be leader of the council such was his dedication to the task.

N V Brooks ● 118d

Oh ye all of little faith, and even shorter memory.To answer Mr Owen - Jason Stacey, Leader under the Conservatives.The Council ran like clockwork, ONLY busied themselves with Council Stuff, and didn't get involved in virtue signalling external political BS.  Those of decent memory, please confirm or deny my assertion re Jason Stacey.I thank you.

Rosco White ● 118d

Seemed fine under Maggie Thatcher. Harry Greenway was Ealing North Mp, approachable & out in the public.Steve Pound too.I wasn’t really into politics at that age, finding my way in life.That worries me about potentially lowering the voting age.These woke kids haven’t lived, no experience in the world.

Peter Yale ● 119d

Ben - if your comment is aimed at me....The answers are no, no party, no leader and no term.The politicians I respect (past and current) include:Thomas Paine, Tony Benn, Hilary Benn MP, Rupa Huq MP, Andy Slaughter MP, John Macdonald MP and Councillor John Martin.Ben - which politicians do you respect?

Eric Alan Leach ● 119d

Ruddy speech-to-text🤬. Sane not scene!

N V Brooks ● 119d

I don't believe that any scene man will have supported any council on ALL of its decisions.The best that one can hope for is that they get more right than they do wrong. This was routinely the case until Julian "three homes* took the leadership. It has been downhill ever since .

N V Brooks ● 119d

I don't believe that any scene man will have supported any council on ALL of its decisions.The best that one can hope for is that they get more right than they do wrong. This was routinely the case until Julian "three homes" Bell took the leadership. It has been downhill ever since .

N V Brooks ● 119d

One thing the chair of the planning committee is not is diligent. He is blissfully unaware of most of the planning regulations which his portfolio covers. He has demonstrated this on numerous occasions, particularly when he stood up in front of a packed West Ealing Neighbourhood meeting earlier this year. He ought to know what he’s doing but simply struggles to have even the faintest grasp of what’s going on. Well worth the £40k allowance he trousers from taxpayers.He might be a pleasant and personable chop but he is just a yes man for the councils’s planning policies. It’s unlikely his attendance yesterday will have any bearing on the outcome of the planning application. Most commercial planning applicants will have been in private discussions with the council about their plans for some time.

Simon Hayes ● 119d

Is it actually the case that it is inappropriate for a councillor to attend a campaign event about a planning matter? Obviously if they started chanting or waving a banner that would be problematic but going along and talking to people there about why they have a problem with the proposal would seem to be the act of somebody who is diligently fulfilling their role.

Mark Evans ● 119d

You and others bang on and on about the council and councillors being, amongst other things, shoddy, corrupt and duplicitous. I am not interested in how you describe this council. I am, however, keen to know whether there has even been a stand out council that you fully supported on all its decisions? If so, which party, which leader and what term was it?

Ben Owen ● 119d

Mr James is beyond naive if he thinks for one nanosecond that our lovely Liebore Ward Councillors aren't perfectly capable of hoodwinking duplicity.They are Past Masters at subterfuge, smoke screening, etc and have proved consistently their chameleon like abilities to change tack when it REALLY matters. Such as behind closed doors when decisions are ACTUALLY made.The chameleon like behaviour some would say is more shape shifting.  😆We have a lovely Council.

Rosco White ● 119d

Simon - you are right.Maybe it was Councillor elections in 10 months time which teased out so many Councillors.One Councillor who attended - but should not have - was the Chair of the Planning Committee. Surely he cannot be seen to be in favour or against any planning application.

Eric Alan Leach ● 119d

Interesting that these same councillors are tone deaf when it comes to protests about other planning applications. Ealing gets what it deserves, and if that’s slot machines in Hanwell so be it.

Simon Hayes ● 119d

Hanwell seems to be going the way of West Ealing.Let's hope not though.

Keith Iddon ● 119d

>There's ALWAYS a Plan under these Closet Communists.>Well Done, Strength In Numbers.The demo was organised by Labour councillors.

Paul James ● 119d

This is an interesting read."Why councils can’t say no to the 24-hour gambling dens plaguing high streetsA broken law forces councils to approve gambling venues – even when they know harm will follow"https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/lifestyle/community/why-councils-cant-say-no-to-the-24-hour-gambling-dens-plaguing-high-streets/

Paul James ● 119d

There's ALWAYS a Plan under these Closet Communists.Well Done, Strength In Numbers.WE decide, not THEM.  👍

Rosco White ● 119d