Ealing Independents announce their Southall candidates
Thu 10 Feb 2022
These independent candidates will represent their local community and are the first of many to be standing across all towns of Ealing which include Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, and Southall.
As Ealing Independent Network councillors, they will always be open to listen to people’s problems, concerns, ideas and suggestions in person, by phone, text, email, WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and any other means where possible to always ensure all people’s views are represented.
These candidates are standing to improve the lives of their local communities and to ensure that all residents and businesses have better services to improve life in Southall.
The candidates are:
Southall Green ward: David Marsden, Sufiyan Abdul-Qayum , Amrik Mahi
Norwood Green ward: Gulshan Sangha
In Southall Green, it’s candidates actually live in the ward. Unlike the current leader of Ealing Council, Labour's Peter Mason who doesn’t live in the ward he is councillor for and has failed to hold any resident surgeries (including virtual) for over a year despite having a contract to do so, Ealing Independent Network councillors live and are a part of community the wards they will represent.
“I moved to Southall Green fifteen years ago. I live with my wife and two young children, who attend school and nursery in Southall,” says Southall Green resident and candidate for councillor David Marsden. “I’ve worked in Southall for the last six years supporting better neighbourhoods in West London, and Southall in particular.”
David added: “I’ve been a leading campaigner in the fight for Clean Air for Southall and Hayes, and I’ve opposed the unsafe development of the highly toxic old Gasworks site at Council meetings and community protests.”
20-year-old Sufiyan Abdul-Qayum says: “I'm a community and family oriented person who is standing to make a genuine change in the area I live in to give back to the local community as I feel that change for the better is need to improve this wonderful area we call home. I feel that standing with Ealing Independents will make a change. I'm a youngster myself and my main aim is to help the youth (the future of Southall) have a say in local affairs. Vote for change vote for Ealing independents.”
Amrik Mahi says: “I have lived in Southall since 1965. I came to Southall when I was three. I have seen so many changes over the years but none so bad as the last four years. Pollution of our air. Children falling sick due to pollution. More traffic choking our children and adults. Less police on our streets. More rubbish on our streets and alleyways. More crime on our streets. Council tax rising yet less services for our money. Councillors who look after themselves and not the community. That’s why I am standing.”
Amrik added: “I am standing for Ealing independents because I want Ealing to have better councillors. Ones that listen to the people who live in Ealing. I want to make Ealing safer and better. I spent 12 years as a special constable in Southall. I walked the streets to keep Southall safe. Now I would like to use that experience and the same commitment I used then to help the community I live in. I have voted Labour all my life but no more. They have let us down and the new leader , like the old one, have let us down too often. I want to be part of a positive change that will benefit where we all live.”
In Norwood Green, it’s candidates are passionate about making the area a better place after years of neglect.
“I have lived in Old Southall all my life,” says Gulshan Sangha. “I have watched how Southall has changed beyond recognition over the last few years due to the over-development and the loss of essential services.”
Gulshan worked for a charity for over ten years, supporting Southall families who have children with special needs. She understands the needs of people with disabilities and their carers. Her current role is with Hillingdon Council managing a team that supports vulnerable tenants that are having difficulty sustaining their tenancies.
As an Independent candidate Gulshan wants to give a voice to Southall residents and work to create a better Southall.
David Marsden, Gulshan Sangha
Amrik Mahi, Sufiyan Abdul-Qayum
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