At the Annual Meeting of the Council on Tuesday 28th May, former Conservative Councillor for Feltham North Ward Kuldeep Tak defected to the Labour Party in a sign that Hounslow Labour is the only way forward for a better future for our residents.
Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat announced the news in the Chamber, and members of Hounslow Council’s Conservative Group were visibly shocked to see their colleague crossing the floor to the Labour benches. This now reduces the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council to 8 Councillors, as Councillor Joanna Biddolph is currently suspended, and the Labour Group now has 52 Councillors.
In a desperate move Cllr Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group in Hounslow, intervened after the announcement to try and withdraw his Group’s nomination for Cllr Tak to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, despite knowing that this would be addressed by political proportionality rules.
Councillor Kuldeep Tak, Labour Councillor for Feltham North said:
“It is an honour to join the Labour Party here in Hounslow and I have already been warmly welcomed by my new colleagues. Although this has been a difficult decision, it is the right one. My commitment to my country and to my residents in my ward override my commitment to the Conservative Party, and I know that Hounslow Labour’s vision and value for the borough are the way forward.
“I look forward to continuing to work hard for all the residents in Feltham North and, in doing so, be able to contribute in a positive way to the future of the Borough.”
Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council said:
“I am extremely proud that Councillor Kuldeep Tak has taken the bold step and joined the Labour Party, and our Hounslow Labour family. He is a hardworking advocate for the residents Feltham North Ward and the borough, which is why I know he will fit in exceptionally well in our Labour Group. I have discussed at length our plans with Councillor Tak and he agrees with our vision for the borough, and I very much look forward to working with him and all of our Hounslow Labour Councillors in achieving this for our residents.
“The Conservatives on the other hand have no way forward, both locally and nationally, and this is why we need a Labour Government this July working with our Labour Council to deliver the priorities our residents care about the most.”
Councillor Rajawat also announced a refreshed Cabinet team at the Annual Meeting of the Council. Details can be found on the website here.