Key Points
- The Ealing Liberal Democrats launched a residents’ survey amid concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour.
- More than 500 residents responded, highlighting issues in West Ealing, Deans Gardens, and Liberal Democrat-represented wards.
- Common complaints include e-bikes on pavements, graffiti, fly-posting, overdevelopment, and poor street cleaning.
- Residents also raised concerns about lack of community facilities for young people, blocked drains, and inadequate disability support.
- Councillor Connie Hersch, the Lib Dem shadow cabinet member for communities, emphasised the aim to gather diverse opinions across the borough.
- The survey comes ahead of local elections scheduled for 7 May 2026.
- The Lib Dems are the official opposition to the Labour-run Ealing Council, led by Councillor Gary Malcolm.
What is the purpose of the Ealing Liberal Democrats’ residents’ survey?
As reported by Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Ealing Council, the survey was launched to collect the views of local residents on key issues affecting their communities across Ealing Borough. Over the past month, more than 500 responses have been received, offering a broad cross-section of opinion. The survey is part of the Lib Dems’ effort to better understand residents’ concerns ahead of the local elections on 7 May 2026.
What are the main concerns highlighted by residents in the survey?
Residents consistently pointed to crime and anti-social behaviour as the most pressing issues, particularly in the West Ealing and Deans Gardens areas. Other frequently mentioned problems include:
- E-bikes being used on pavements, posing safety risks.
- Graffiti and fly-posting spoiling the neighbourhood appearance.
- Overdevelopment leading to congestion and loss of green space.
- Poor street cleaning, contributing to untidiness.
In addition, respondents voiced concerns over the lack of community facilities for young people, which they feel contributes to youth-related disturbances. Some also pointed out blocked drains and inadequate support services for disabled residents, highlighting gaps in local infrastructure and services.
How are the Ealing Liberal Democrats responding to these concerns?
Councillor Connie Hersch, who serves as the Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet member for communities, stated that “The party is keen to build a broad cross-section of opinion from across the borough to inform our priorities and campaigns.” She emphasised the importance of listening to residents’ voices to push for improvements in public safety, cleaner streets, and better community amenities. Councillor Gary Malcolm has personally engaged with residents and acted swiftly on specific local issues, such as graffiti incidents reported in Beaconsfield Gardens. The Lib Dems are advocating for more proactive measures and greater accountability from the current Labour-run Ealing Council to address these persistent concerns.
What political context surrounds the release of this survey?
The survey’s timing is significant, coming less than six months before the local elections in Ealing on 7 May 2026. The Liberal Democrats are the official opposition party to the Labour-led council and are making a concerted effort to highlight issues where they believe the incumbent administration has fallen short. The political landscape in Ealing reflects wider local election trends seen nationally, where the Liberal Democrats have recently made gains and amplified their presence as a key challenger to Labour and Conservative dominance.
How does this survey fit with wider local and national political developments?
Recent local elections across the UK in 2025 saw Labour losing seats in several councils, while the Liberal Democrats increased their number of councillors and took control of additional local authorities. This trend underscores the growing importance of local issues such as crime, housing, and community facilities—topics prominently featured in the Ealing Lib Dems’ survey. Ealing’s Lib Dem councillors, including Gary Malcolm and Connie Hersch, are aligning their campaign priorities with these concerns to resonate with voters ahead of the forthcoming polls.
What statements have Lib Dem councillors made regarding the survey and community issues?
Councillor Gary Malcolm, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in Ealing, emphasised the party’s commitment to listening to residents: “We want to ensure that the voices of our communities are heard loud and clear, particularly on issues like safety, cleanliness, and community support.” He highlighted recent actions taken to address specific problems, such as reporting and seeking swift resolution for graffiti in local parks. Councillor Connie Hersch remarked that improving community facilities and supporting vulnerable residents remain top priorities for the party as they prepare for the May elections.
What challenges do residents face beyond crime and anti-social behaviour?
The responses to the survey also reveal broader community challenges, including:
- Concerns about overdevelopment impacting quality of life and neighbourhood character.
- Inadequate street cleaning services contributing to an untidy public realm.
- Blocked drains affecting public health and convenience.
- Limited facilities for youth, which some residents link to increased social problems.
- Insufficient support for disabled people, highlighting gaps in council service provision.
These issues illustrate multifaceted concerns residents have about living conditions in Ealing, which the Liberal Democrats are using to direct their policy focus.
What next steps are the Ealing Liberal Democrats proposing following the survey?
The party intends to use the survey findings to shape their campaign as they challenge Labour in the upcoming local elections. They aim to hold the council to greater account on public safety, cleanliness, housing policies, and community investments. By actively engaging with residents and being responsive to their concerns, the Lib Dems hope to build momentum and present themselves as a credible alternative in Ealing.
