On 7 May 2026, residents in the Ealing Common 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 Lewis Garland, standing for Ealing Green Party in Ealing Common, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be a councillor for Ealing Common?
I believe that a strong society is built on care – care for each other and for the places we call home.
Ealing Common has always been a shared space, historically common land used by local people. I believe in creating a place where people know their neighbours, feel safe on their streets, and have access to green spaces and support services within walking distance.
I’m standing to put these principles of mutuality and care into the heart of Ealing Council.
I will work to:
· Deliver genuinely affordable, energy-efficient homes, and make development work for local people, not just developers.
· Protect our green spaces: support biodiversity and keep our natural spaces accessible, cared for, and safeguarded for future generations.
· Build a safer, healthier, more connected neighbourhood where everyone belongs.
What motivates you?
What motivates me is helping build a society, where everyone feels welcome, safe, able to breath and able to contribute.
In my day job, I support people in crisis, including survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, victims of modern slavery, and people facing mental health challenges. I believe that the way we treat our most vulnerable says everything about the kind of society we are – or aspire to be.
I’m also driven by a belief in community power. I believe local people understand their needs best and should have the trust and resources to shape their own future.
What is your personal connection to Ealing Common or the borough?
My partner and I live in Ealing Common ward. What I love about Ealing is its diversity – both in its people and its environments. It’s one of the things that makes the borough so special, and something I will celebrate and protect.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements?
1. Founding and growing a refugee support charity
Ten years ago, I founded a charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers in London through nature-based and cultural activities. We’ve supported hundreds of people, offering community, an escape from daily fears, and opportunities to build skills and confidence as they rebuild their lives.
2. Supporting people through crisis
I work for a charity helping people move from crisis to recovery, including survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and modern slavery. It’s given me a clear understanding of the barriers people face and the importance of accessible, properly funded local support services.
3. Community ownership and power
Across my career and wider work, I’ve supported campaigns focused on community ownership, from local buildings to energy and shared spaces. I believe communities should be listened to and given the power and resources to make key decisions.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Ealing Common faces, and how will you address them?
1. Housing and the cost of living
Too many people are being priced out or living in poor-quality homes. I would push for genuinely affordable housing, stronger action against rogue landlords, and retrofit programmes to improve energy efficiency. I would also support sustainable development, prioritising appropriate, community-led housing over projects driven solely by developer profit.
2. Protecting green spaces
Ealing Common and nearby parks like Gunnersbury are vital to our community, the clue is in the ward name! I will oppose inappropriate development, support biodiversity through wildflower planting and rewilding, and work with residents to keep these spaces accessible, well cared for, and protected.
3. Safer, healthier streets
Traffic, air pollution, and anti-social behaviour affect daily life in Ealing Common. I would support safer walking and cycling routes, improved street design and lighting, and community-led approaches to neighbourhood safety.
What do you love about Ealing Common and the borough of Ealing?
I love how Ealing feels both peaceful and full of life simultaneously.
Ealing Common, Gunnersbury and Walpole Park are beautiful green spaces with wildlife, wildflowers, and room to breathe. Being able to live in or in touching distance of nature has always mattered to me, and I believe in creating a borough where access to, and enjoyment of our natural spaces is open to everyone.
I also value Ealing’s diversity. Within a short walk you can experience a real mix of cultures, communities, food and traditions – it’s what gives the borough its energy and makes it such a special place to live.
How accessible will you be to residents, and how can they contact you?
In running a charity, I’ve learned how important it is to create spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and ideas, and where those voices genuinely shape decisions.
If elected, I would hold regular surgeries, attend community events, and have door-to-door conversations to stay connected to residents’ concerns. I would also work closely with local groups and campaigners to ensure people feel heard and involved in shaping their community.
Click here for all Ealing Common candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
