Interview with Lambeth Councillor Paul McGlone

Councillor Paul McGlone

Where were you born?

Queen Alexandria Hospital, Battery Point, Hobart (Tasmania). The same hospital as Errol Flynn the actor, but not in the same year!

How long have you lived in Lambeth?

Since 1987, before that Tooting from 1983.

What was your first involvement in politics?

Ferndale Sports Centre, Nursery Road, Brixton SW9. Reopened following a £1,000,000 Sports England Lottery Grant, won following years of lobbying and community work by Councillor Paul McGlone.

At the age of 14. I got my School Head Master in the papers when the Tasmanian State Minister for Education (Labour) raised in parliament an issue I had written to him about with a petition from fellow students. The Head Master ordered us to cut our hair on pain of being expelled. I took up the human rights issue and with press exposure, won! (The Head Master did not like me for it, but that's politics!). In Britain I marched in the 1990 Poll Tax demonstration - and joined the Labour Party that day!

Why did you become a councillor?

I realised I could make a contribution to leading Lambeth Council - which should always focus on delivering good services to those in need. After so many years of bad political leadership in the 1980's by people who pretended to represent Labour interests, combined with savage funding cuts by the Tory Government over 18 years, I wanted to show what sensible Labour Councillors could achieve. I was first elected in 1998 and again in 2002.

Pot holes and Rubbish 'grot spots' reports by Councillors Sally Prentice (pictured) and Paul McGlone, on a estate walkabout on Bowlands Park Estate.

Have you ever been a victim of crime?

I have been mugged twice - once on Hackney Road and once in Landor Road (in my own ward before I was a Councillor!) I am not sure you ever get over this kind of violation.

Are you involved in any local groups, associations, committees?

1. I am a Governor of Stockwell Primary School, one of the fastest improving schools in the Country!

2. Stockwell Estate Management Board - helping this large estate with 1,500+ homes in its aspirations to become a Housing Association, which will trigger access to millions to invest in regeneration and improvements.

3. Generally, I try to keep involved with as many local groups as possible with the aim of helping them with important issues.

What issues do you think are most important to residents in your ward?

Most people really want to have a sense of security in their home and local community. They may not articulate it that way, but it is a basic human need. Threaten this with poor public services - or fail to act as representatives of those people when problems arise - and you will fail your constituents. Other political priorities need to build on a stable community with residents and families who feel positive about themselves and futures.

Tunstall Road, Brixton - after years of campaigning by Ferndale Councillors, Tunstall Road and other roads in central Brixton will soon become part of an 'Inner Zone' within the Brixton B CPZ scheme. This will make it easier for local residents to park near there homes, and elsewhere with the parking zone, while prohibiting commuters who have for years been parking their cars to allow easy access to the Tube, much to the annoyance of residents who then can't park at all!

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