On 7 May 2026, residents in the Southall Green ward will vote to choose who represents them at Ealing Council.
EALING.NEWS has asked all candidates standing to become a councillor, 7 questions about who they are, what they hope to deliver and why they want residents to vote for them.
Here’s what Joe Bhangu, standing for Ealing Community Independents in Southall Green, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Southall Green?
After progressing to fleet manager at a successful national vehicle hire company, where I led a large team and built strong leadership and operational expertise, I decided in 1995 to establish my own business. I went on to found a logistics and warehousing company, where I served as director.
I was a member of the Labour Party for many years, but over time I became disillusioned. I felt that people with real life experience and genuine community understanding were being sidelined, while favouritism and closed networks were holding the system back.
I am standing because I am one of you. I live here, my family lives here, and we have faced the same struggles as many residents. I want to stand with the people of Southall Green, challenge unfairness, and bring back honesty, equality, and accountability. I believe everyone deserves a fair voice, not just a select few.
What motivates you?
What drives me is seeing the reality many residents are facing every day. There is real hardship in our community, and too often people feel unheard and unsupported.
I believe someone must stand up and take responsibility – not just talk, but act. I want to give people hope, stand alongside them, and work to improve lives in a meaningful way. This is about service, not status.
What is your personal connection to Southall Green or any other part of the borough?
I have lived in Southall since 1965. This is my home, where I grew up and where my roots are deeply embedded.
My father served as a sergeant major in the British Indian Army, instilling values of discipline, service, and integrity. My uncle, Sardar Sardul Singh Gill, was a pioneer in local politics and the first Asian councillor elected to Ealing Council in 1968. He was also a founding member of the Indian Workers’ Association. His legacy of standing up for the community continues to inspire me.
What do you consider to be your top 3 achievements and their impact?
I have consistently stood up for the community and delivered real results.
Together with others, I successfully campaigned to prevent Ealing Council from demolishing the Southall Young Adults Centre, safeguarding a vital community resource and ensuring continued support for local residents.
I played an active role in a community campaign that successfully prevented the sale of Southall Town Hall, helping to preserve an important local asset for future generations.
Together with the community, I contributed to a public inquiry at Ealing Town Hall opposing a proposed 650-flat development on the Green. Through strong collective action, the developers eventually cancelled the project, preserving the space for the community.
These achievements show that when we stand together and take action, we can protect our community and shape its future.
What are the top 3 challenges Southall Green faces and how will you address them?
Southall Green faces several serious challenges:
Housing pressure: Residents need access to fair, suitable housing. I will push for responsible development that serves the community, not overdevelopment that strains local resources.
Youth wellbeing: Too many young people are being lost to alcohol and drug issues. I will advocate for better support services, early intervention, and safe community spaces.
Congestion, crime, and environment: Overcrowding, road safety, and crime are affecting daily life. I will work to reduce congestion, improve safety, and ensure our streets are clean and well maintained.
My focus is simple: to make life safer, fairer, and more liveable for everyone.
What do you love about Southall Green and the borough of Ealing?
Southall is where I grew up. I remember a strong, safe, and vibrant community where people looked out for each other.
Some of my best memories are simple ones, like spending summer days at the swimming pool in The Recreation Ground. That sense of community and safety is something I want future generations to experience again.
How accessible will you be to residents?
I have always been accessible to local residents and that will never change.
People have been contacting me directly for years, and they can continue to do so on: +44 7495 442054
If elected, I will hold regular meetings with residents, stay visible in the community, and remain accountable. I will not disappear after election day. I will be present, approachable, and ready to listen and act
Click here for all Southall Green candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
