Hounslow Citizens Hosts Pre-election Roundtable

Party leaders make pledges on housing, fair pay and community spaces

Cllrs Peter Thompson, Guy Lambert and Shantanu Rajawat. Picture: Solape Tunde-Dauda

April 24, 2026

Community leaders from across Hounslow gathered this week for a well-attended pre-election roundtable hosted by Hounslow Citizens, where the three prospective council leaders set out their positions on housing, work and community space following months of grassroots listening across the borough.

The event on Tuesday (21 April), held at St Mary’s Church in Spring Grove, brought together residents, faith groups and civic organisations to hear how candidates would respond to the priorities identified by local people. The evening focused on three central themes: improving housing standards, expanding access to secure and fairly paid work, and ensuring that community groups have the space they need to serve their neighbourhoods.

All three candidates — Shantanu Rajawat, Guy Lambert and Peter Thompson — offered commitments on the issues raised. They agreed to support the introduction of a borough-wide selective licensing scheme aimed at improving standards in the private rented sector, to work with Hounslow Citizens on delivering a Warm Homes Plan, and to help run renters’ rights workshops so that tenants are fully informed about their legal protections. They also committed to working with local employers to double the number of accredited Living Wage Employers in Hounslow by the end of the next council term and to explore the Living Hours standard as a way of addressing insecure work. In addition, each candidate pledged to support Paniym City Church in securing a long-term space for its growing congregation and community programmes.

The audience at the meeting. Picture: Solape Tunde-Dauda

The tone of the evening was set by the host institution’s vicar, Rev. Elis Matthews, who closed the meeting by reflecting on the value of shared dialogue. He told attendees that the roundtable had created “level ground” where stories could be exchanged and solutions could begin to take shape, adding that genuine listening helps communities move from “you and I” to “we and us.”

Councillor Guy Lambert later commented on the session, noting that he had met with Hounslow Citizens in advance of the event and that the organisation had presented clear priorities around housing, fair work and community space. He said that all candidates had expressed support for those aims during the roundtable. He also reflected on progress made in recent years, including work on housing through the council-owned Lampton Group and the introduction of new legislation relating to private rental licensing.

The roundtable forms part of Hounslow Citizens’ wider effort to bring residents and decision-makers together ahead of the local elections. Organisers said the commitments secured on the night demonstrate the strength of community organising in the borough and the willingness of candidates to engage directly with the concerns raised by local people.

The election takes place on Thursday 7 May 2026. Photo ID is required to vote. For more information, visit hounslow.gov.uk/elections.