Thornton Action Team - Michael Hipwell

Michael Hipwell

How long have you lived in Lambeth?
I've been living in Lambeth for about 3 years and south London for nearly 9 years.

What was your first involvement in politics?
Apart from dinner tables arguments with my parents as to why Thatcher wasn't neccessarily a good idea. I got formally involved in politics 10 years ago after leaving university when I was an agent during local elections in Solihull.

Why do you want to become a councillor?
I really enjoy living in Thornton ward and really want to see the best for the area. I'd like to think I could make a difference in improving the area for my fellow residents. Local government still has an important role to play and people need a council that is responsive and can deliver. Despite this anti-political age, there is still a role for the councillor.

What issues do you think are most important to residents in your ward?
Given the diversity of Thornton there are a wide range of issues. For many residents the CPZ and parking are a problem, the Lib Dem run council have clearly used parking as another form of taxation.
For Clapham Park estate residents, the transfer of the estate and its redevelopment is clearly significant. The huge investment made by the Labour government is going to make a big difference, lets trust it goes to schedule.
The issues around Glenbrook school need to be sorted out and school places in Lambeth in general. The failure of the Lib Dem council including the two Thornton Lib Dem councillors to get to grips with this issue despite central govt monies being available is really letting down local kids.

What else is involved in being a councilor?
A local councillor can provide some leadership for the community and not just tackling problems related to the council. Councillors can provide that bridge between residents and the private and public sector institutions.

Have you ever been a victim of crime?
The worst I ever suffered is having a camera stolen from me while on holiday in Valencia, Spain. I think politicians of all sides need to be honest about crime, not everyone is a victim of crime, for instance property crime in general is falling. We have to differentiate better between violent and non-violent crime. Any violent crime needs the full severity of the law applied.
However a lot of people suffer the aggrevation of vandalism, tagging, noise pollution and these are issues that the council could be doing better to tackle.

What's the worst thing about being a councilor?
I can imagine very dull council meetings and plenty of paperwork.

What's do you think the best thing would be about being a councilor?
I hope that I can make some improvements to the area where I live.

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