Sunita Hirani hits out at 'pathetic' Brent West Conservative's attempt to discredit her and promises to clean up 'this dirty business'

 Cllr Sunita Hirani, ex-Conservative councillor for Kenton ward, and now standing s an independent has issue a fierce statement denouncing her former party.

She says:

I stand by my principls of honesty, decency, transparency and fairness. I reject the smears, innuendoes and false allegation which have been aimed at me in order to discredit me and prevent me being elected as a councillor for the Kenton ward of Brent Council.

This pathetic attempt by the Conservative Party (Brent West) at reputational damage will fail. The fallout when the truth is revealed will have serious consequences for anybody who colluded and conspired in this 'Operation Revenge' and I am determined to uncover  and name those behind this. 

As a woman. I am just appalled at the totally unacceptable, unjustifiable and unfounded personal attacks on me and it has mde me more determined than ever to stand, hold my head up high and carry on in politics to represent the residents of the Kenton ward. It has wakened  me to the endemic misogny within politics and this has to be rooted out.

When you re-elect me as one of your councillors on May 7th I will make it  one of my missions in politics to clean up this dirty business.

 

Labour candidate issues environmental ultimatum to Tories over treatment of Cllr Sunita Hirani

I am not prepared to continue to participate or play any further part in any voluntary activity or community organisation in Brent including, but not restricted to, the Wealdstone Brook and associated flood relief and river restoration projects, until the Conservative Party nationally, and the Brent West Conservative Party locally, issue an unreserved apology for the totally unfounded allegations of 'alleged criminal activity' against Cllr. Sunita Hirani and her suspension and subsequent disqualification as a Conservative Candidate for the Kenton Ward in the forthcoming May 7th Local Brent Council Elections.

John Poole

Dated: 21st. April 2026

'Whole raft' of Brent West Conservative Party members reported to have resigned today with immediate effect

A usually well-informed source tells me that 'a whole raft' of Brent West Conservative Party submitted their resignations today with immediate effect. This follows the suspension and resignation of Cllr Sunita Hirani from the Conservative Party.

Cllr Sunita Hirani resigns from the Tories to stand as an independent in Kenton ward

 

Cllr Sunita Hirani (Independent - Kenton)

Cllr Sunita Hirani, yesterday lodged her papers with Brent Electoral Services as an Independent candidate in Kenton ward, after she was suspended from the Conservative Party.

 

She explained her decision to Kenton residents on Facebook:

    

Dear Kenton Residents,

 

I am writing to you directly and personally to share an important update about my political position.

 

My membership of the Conservative Party was recently suspended, shortly before the close of nominations on 9 April 2026. Despite my repeated requests for clarification, no clear reason has been communicated to me. Given the timing, this has been deeply upsetting and distressing, particularly in light of my continued hard work and commitment to serving our community.

 

After careful reflection, discussions with supporters, and most importantly putting you, my residents, first, I have decided to resign my membership of the Conservative Party and continue my work as an Independent Councillor.

 

This decision has not been taken lightly. I stood for election in 2022 to serve Kenton with integrity, honesty, and determination, and that commitment remains unchanged.

 

My priority has always been, and will continue to be, to represent the residents of Kenton Ward.

 

As an Independent Councillor, I will be free to:

 

Speak up without fear, favour, or intimidation on the issues that matter to Kenton

Work constructively with councillors of all parties

Put residents’ concerns first, every single time

 

I remain fully committed to helping residents with local issues, whether that is housing, safety, schools, fly-tipping, parking, or navigating the council .

 

My door remains open, and I am here for you.

 

Thank you for the trust, kindness, and support so many of you have shown me

 

It means more than I can adequately put into words.

 

I hope to continue earning that trust as your Independent voice on Brent Council.

 

With sincere thanks,

 

Sunita Hirani

Conservative Central Office step into Kenton candidate selection. Kansagra and Maurice deselected

Last night 60 or so Conservative Party members attended the third stage of selections for 2026 candidates for the May 2026  Kenton ward. The move followed allegations that Harrow East MP, Bob Blackman,  had intervened to secure the nomination of current councillor Michael Maurice at an earlier stage.

Last night's procedure was described as very professional and well run. In the event neither veteran Conservative Leader Suresh Kansagra nor Michael Maurice were selected, although Maurice did try and come back for another go after being voted down. 'He just didn't get the message,' a participant commented.

Cllr Sunita Hirani was re-selected and the new candidates are Sai Karthik Madabhushi,  campaign head of Conservative Friends of India, and local company director Anup Patel. Madabhuhsi previously fought elections in Barnhill and Wembley Central wards.

Cllr Kansagra has many years of service, first being elected in 1998. Cllr Maurice was first elected in 2015.

An observer remarked, 'At least Conservative Party members had a say in their candidate selection.'

Kenton Residents' Association formed

 

From Kenton Residents' Association Brent

A group of Kenton residents had an initial gathering on the evening Wednesday 9th July to discuss the formation of the ‘Kenton Residents’ Association Brent’ at the Harrow Masonic centre in Northwick Circle, Kenton.

 

A packed hall of well over 100 residents gave support to the initiative led by local Kenton ward councillor, Sunita Hirani, and long-standing Kenton resident, John Poole.

 

Shirley Holmes, Brent Council neighbourhood manager for the Kenton and Kingsbury Connects Area, chaired the first part of the meeting before opening up the meeting for questions and discussion.

 

There was strong support for the idea of Kenton Residents’ Association Brent (KRAB) and several residents came forward to volunteer in a temporary capacity to help set up the association with the aim of having a formal meeting in September where a constitution will be presented and adopted and officers elected.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. Hirani said she was amazed at the turn out and that it clearly indicated a desire from local residents for the formation of a residents’ association.

 

The meeting was sponsored by the Harrow estate agents, Empire Chase.

 

 

Kenton escapes Wealdstone Brook flooding - did local environmental action help?

Cllr Sunita Hirani (Kenton) has posted a Tweet re yesterday's flood warning about potential flooding in Kenton (and Wealdstone and Wembley) after heavy rain last night. 

She said:

I have been informed this evening that there were no reported floodings in the Kenton area of the Wealdstone Brook yesterday (Monday 15th July 2024) evening. The Environment Agency issued a flood warning for the area of Kenton around the Wealdstone Brook at around 8 pm (Monday 15th July 2024) for potential flooding in the area at around 9pm. My videos taken at about that time show the Brook coping with the volume of water and no flooding on the road around Lindsay Drive roundabout. 

 

Maybe, just maybe, someone, somewhere, will actually admit the fact that the work we did - the Brook Way Community Biodiversity Project CIC, in conjunction with Thames Water, at Lindsay Drive roundabout in clearing the dead, decaying and diseased trees, trunks and branches, actually contributed to avoiding a flooding disaster in the Kenton area yesterday evening. 

 

I can but dream.

 

New London Councils cross-party Executive will work together across boroughs to deliver a shared agenda

 

The new London Councils Executive

There's a bit of a spat going on via Twitter this morning after Labour's Cllr Shama Tatler criticised Lib Dem Cllr Anton Georgiou for meeting with Tory Cllr Sunita for what Georgiou described as an attempt  'find ways to work together to improve our communities' despite being on 'different teams'.

 

The concept was clearly anathema to Cllr Tatler but the reality is that on many councils and similar bodies different political parties have worked together for the benefit of the community. London Councils is one such body bringing together mayors and council leaders from different parties across London.  Indeed, until yesterday's AGM, Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council was the London Councils Executive Member for Welfare, Empowerment and Inclusion.

In the press release from London Councils below I have emphasised in bold a pertinent comment by the Chair of London Councils who is also leader of Camden Council:

Cllr Georgia Gould has been re-elected Chair of London Councils, promising to deliver on the boroughs’ shared agenda at this “important moment” for the capital.

 

At London Councils’ Leaders Committee AGM, held  yesterday borough Leaders and Directly Elected Mayors from across the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation met to agree leadership roles.

 

Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said:

 

The next few years present huge challenges for London - tackling inequality in our city, supporting residents and businesses through the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring London’s voice is part of debates on levelling up.

 

Having stepped up to support our communities during the pandemic despite incredibly difficult circumstances for us all, London boroughs are committed to working together on our shared ambitions from tackling the climate crisis to supporting Londoners facing a cost-of-living crisis. Together we will make the case for London and make sure the voices of Londoners are heard.

 

I feel incredibly hopeful that at this important moment for our city, London boroughs will focus on delivering for communities across the capital.

 

The following Leaders and directly elected Mayors were elected to London Councils’ Executive:

Chair: Cllr Georgia Gould (Lab, Camden)

 

Deputy Chair and Executive member for Regeneration, Housing and Planning: Cllr Darren Rodwell (Lab, Barking and Dagenham)

 

Vice Chair: Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE (Con, Bexley)

 

Vice Chair: Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE (Lib Dem, Sutton)

 

Vice Chair: Deputy Chris Hayward (Ind, City of London Corporation)

 

Climate Change, Transport and Environment Lead and Digital Lead: Mayor Philip Glanville (Lab, Hackney)

 

Executive member for London’s Future (Business, Economy and Culture): Cllr Elizabeth Campbell (Con, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea)

 

Executive member for Communities (Welfare, Empowerment and Inclusion): Cllr Claire Holland (Lab, Lambeth)

 

Executive member for Children and Young People: Cllr Ian Edwards (Con, Hillingdon)

 

Executive member for Community Safety and Violence against Women and Girls: Cllr Jas Athwal (Lab, Redbridge)

 

Executive member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care: Cllr Nesil Caliskan (Lab, Enfield)

 

Executive member for Skills and Employment: Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (Lab, Newham) 

 

 

VIDEO: Brent local elections hustings on the environment. Who would you vote for?

Muhammed Butt's poll rating dives AFTER he speaks at Environment Hustings

It's not a scientific poll and just for fun but a poll of voting intentions was taken before candidates spoke at this evening's Friends of the Earth Environmental hustings and afterwards.

This was the result:

Candidate	Party	Before %	After %
David Stevens	Green	29	31
Anton Georgiou	Liberal Democrat	21	33
Sunita Hirani	Conservative	15	14
Muhammed Butt	Labour	35	17
	Undecided	9	6