May 22nd: Local and European elections

In the run up to the local and European elections, we’ll explain what you’re actually voting for, why it matters, who the candidates are, and – nearer the time – how you can put your questions to them.

Local elections

Why should you vote? (aka “what does the council do”?)
What’s my ward?
What happened in 2010?
What do the parties say?
Watch/Listen to all the hustings videos
The big issues: Housing; Schools
What do candidates tweet?
Get the scoop and meet the candidates in:
West Hampstead
Fortune Green
Kilburn
Swiss Cottage

Rubbish collections, roadworks, developments, parking, schools…

Issues that affect your daily life in West Hampstead are determined by the council. Who represents you on the council, and its make-up, really matters.

On May 22nd, go and vote – then you’re entitled to moan and whinge to your heart’s content about what happens next. If you don’t, then STFU. Click the links above to find out more.

European elections

European elections: The basics
What do MEPs do / why vote?
Who’s standing?

It’s always harder to get your head around the European elections. Decisions taken in the European parliament seem remote, and the EU policy is run far more as a coalition. Nevertheless, London – the largest city in the EU – will elect 9 MEPs on May 22nd, so make sure that the party you think best represents you is as well represented as possible in Europe.

Local elections 2018: The candidates

The local elections are on May 3rd. This is when you get the chance (and “you” includes EU citizens) to vote for three councillors for the ward you live in. All the ward councillors who are elected form Camden council (or Brent council for those of you the other side of the Kilburn High Road). […]

Luxury retirement development ‘can’t afford’ to pay for affordable housing

West Hampstead is facing yet another large-scale property development. It’s the third proposal to redevelop the site at the former Gondar Gardens reservoir. The history of the previous proposals have been well documented on these pages, but what really caught our eye about this one was that it offers no affordable housing either on-site or as […]

Bringing West Hampstead insight to national property statistics

Sponsored post Every week newspaper headlines vary between ‘house prices rise’ or ‘house prices fall’ – but which headline is accurate? We thought we’d delve behind the headlines for this month’s West Hampstead Life column; we’ll be sharing some interesting stats and sprinkling them with some local insight to bring them to life. First-time buyers […]

No step closer to step-free access for West Hampstead tube station

Many local organisations have been pushing for step-free access to West Hampstead tube station over the past few years – even if opinion diverges on what the solution should be. It was therefore disappointing, as local residents association WHGARA pointed out recently, that West Hampstead was not included in the recent batch of stations to […]

Liddell Road school to open with spare capacity

Liddell Road has a new name. After much careful thought and consideration it has been renamed, wait for it…, “Liddell Place”. Someone suggested an alternative, but for some reason Camden didn’t like it. Where’s Liddell Road? It’s the former council-owned light industrial estate just off Maygrove Road that’s being redeveloped to house an infants school […]

Residents concerned over Beckford School road closure plan

Camden Council has announced plans to implement a temporary road closure near a primary school in West Hampstead, angering many local residents. There are public meetings to discuss the proposals this Thursday. The affected area is around Beckford School on Dornfell Street. Camden’s proposal is to close Broomsleigh Street at the Mill Lane end at […]