Sam Hearn Becomes Leader Of Hounslow Conservative Group

Cllr Peter Thompson steps down from the role

Riverside ward councillor Sam Hearn has been selected as leader of the Conservative grouping at Hounslow Council.

He replaces Councillor Peter Thompson, also from Chiswick, in the role.

The Group held their Annual General Meeting last night (thursday) to elect officers for the final year of the 2014-2018 Hounslow Borough Council.

Cllr Sam Hearn

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Thompson said, “After many years as Leader of the Hounslow Conservative Group, I feel it is time to hand over the reins to someone else and see the Group through the 2018 Hounslow Council elections.”

“It has been an enormous privilege to lead the group, with one small break, since 2000 and serve as the Leader of Hounslow Council between 2006 and 2010. When we ran the Council, I was proud that we were one of the handful of Councils that froze the Council Tax well before this became the norm. More importantly, we made much needed efficiency savings and notable improvements to our parks and open spaces and leisure facilities.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Conservative Group members, past and present, for their continued support over all these years, which I have much appreciated. The Group has stood firm in the face of challenging times and we have always held the Labour run Council to account for their decision and scored some victories along the way.

"Now it’s time for a new chapter to open and I wish my successor, Councillor Sam Hearn, every success in his new role. He will be greatly supported by his colleagues and I know will fight to win in 2018.”

Apart from elections, the Annual General Meeting also met to discuss the past twelve months of Council business as well as Group business and also, the upcoming 2018 Local Elections.

Cllr Peter Thompson

After the meeting the new Leader commented, “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to Councillor Peter Thompson and his leadership of the conservative group throughout the past five years. I know he is a family man through and through and juggling family life, work and politics has not always been easy.

"However, Peter is dedicated to his ward of Turnham Green and has always put residents first. I will continue to value his advice and counsel as I begin my new role as Leader.

"Looking ahead, we have the General Election to see through and then crucially, the local elections in May 2018. Our team will now fine tune our manifesto and then share it with the residents of this very diverse borough. The arrangements for selecting and electing candidates to stand in next year’s local elections are at an advanced stage.”

May 26, 2017