On 7 May 2026, residents in the Southfield 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 Gary Busuttil, standing for Ealing Liberal Democrats in Southfield, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Southfield?
I was born and brought up in Leeds where I went to school and college, then went onto University of Huddersfield where I studied International Hospitality Management. I have worked in transport for 24 years in both railways and airlines. I moved to London in 2008 to follow a career in the airline industry, and have lived in the locality ever since.
In 2010 I joined the Liberal Democrats, and not long after I was asked whether I would stand as a Councillor to replace the late Harvey Rose. I stood in the 2014 Local Election where I was successful in getting elected, and have remained as one of the three Southfield Ward Councillors.
Though I am, and proud to be a councillor for the Southfield Ward, as the official opposition we also represent the residents of the borough. My priorties would be to ensure the council are meeting their targets for genuinely affordable homes and housing repairs, and if not, why not. Ensuring transport is fit for purpose, connects communities and is accessible to all who want and need to use it. Finally, ensuring Ealing Council are providing customer service where casework is dealt with promptly and efficiently. ”
What motivates you?
When people acknowledge the work we do for them and the community, and they want us to carry on being their councillors.
What is your own personal connection to either Southfield or any other part of the borough?
I am originally from Leeds and moved to London when I started working on the airlines. I have lived in Ealing for 17 years and have been a councillor for Southfield Ward for 12 years.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
Being elected councillor three consecutive times I consider as an achievement. I’m never allow myself to get too complacent to think my position is guaranteed. I have been very fortunate to work with a great team who all want to see our ward improve.
Beyond this I am proud I lead our party in my capacity as campaigns chair for the local party to become the official opposition in 2022 and in doing so we have punched above our weight and scrutinised the administration more effectively than when the Conservatives were the official opposition.
My third achievement I would say is being able to travel to 123 countries in the world, I’ve seen and experienced many many things and it has given me so much cultural awareness an common ground with the diverse community I represent.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Southfield faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
Some of the challenges in Southfield Ward are challenges that the borough faces. Firstly, in my view the lack of affordable housing and housing repairs compounds many other problems such as anti-social behaviour and health and wellbeing of residents. As an opposition Councillor our approach is to scrutinise the adminitration on failures such as Meath Court in South Acton Ward where residents were living in appaling conditions and were ignored by the council.
Secondly, though Southfield is a safe ward, and the safest in comparison to surrounding Ealing and Hounslow Wards, crime is ever present, and people generally feel less safe than before. We have good working relationship with the local police officers, and attend Ward police panel meetings to highlight crime and set priorities, and we will continue to do so to keep crime low in our ward.
Thirdly, is the quality of customer service Ealing Council provide. I have noticed our casework load has increase substantially since I was first elected, and generally its because they get little or no response from the council they come to Councillors as a last resort to get their problems fixed. Though that is what we are here for, much of the casework could have been dealt with in a better way. ”
What do you love about Southfield and the borough of Ealing?
There is a great community feel in Southfield Ward, with residents engaging in community activities, who genuinely want to improve the area and see the ward thrive. There are nice parks that are well maintained for everyone to use which is important for peoples wellbeing.
How accessible will you be to Southfield residents and how can they get in contact with you now and if elected how will you ensure you are accessible to them in the future?
Residents are welcome to email or call me at any reasonable time, or visit me at one of my surgeries that are held on the first Saturday of every month. We attend many community group meetings and events and ensure we have a presence by at least one of us. We also distribute leaflets and letters ward wide letting people know what we are doing, which have our contact details so they can get in touch with us.
Click here for all Southfield candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
