With less than 290 days to go until the next Ealing local elections on 7 May 2026, the borough’s Liberal Democrats have confirmed their line-up of candidates to contest Walpole ward.
The party has selected William Francis, Ksenia Maximova and Matt Mellor to stand for election in the three-member ward which currently has three Labour councillors for the ward.
William Francis, a media analyst, pledged to champion local concerns. He said: “I aim to be the best local champion I can be for Walpole and ensure that residents have a strong voice in the council. I am determined to reduce the crime and anti-social behaviour in hot spot areas in the ward, to ensure streets are clean, and to alleviate the housing crisis.”
Ksenia Maximova, a former international model and founder of Russian Democratic Society, said: “I have lived in Ealing since 1999 and attended Notting Hill and Ealing High School. I am engaged with local issues: campaigning for cleaner streets, fixing infrastructure problems and advocating for better public spaces.”
Returning candidate Matt Mellor, who ran in Walpole in 2022, works as a contract manager in the NHS. He said: “If elected I plan to focus on council services where people deserve better outcomes and provision (including SEND, Looked After Children and Social Care). At a ward level, the council must engage better with residents and I will tackle the visible failings of the council including litter, overgrown vegetation, blocked gullies and potholes.”
