On 7 May 2026, residents in the Southall Broadway 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 Angela Fonso, standing for Ealing Community Independents in Southall Broadway, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Southall Broadway?
I understand first-hand the challenges and strengths of our community, as I am an experienced campaigner on air pollution and children’s play. I began campaigning on air pollution in 2014, when emissions from the FM Conway asphalt plant were clearly affecting residents’ health during westerly winds. I presented a petition at a full council meeting, which helped prompt cooperation between Ealing and Hillingdon councils.
In 2018, I helped establish Clean Air for Southall and Hayes (CASH) to raise awareness of the toxic pollution from the Green Quarter development (formerly Southall Gasworks). Our work contributed to the documentary Is My Neighbourhood Poisoning Me?, wider media coverage, and research by Brunel University and Imperial College. CASH went on to become a founding member of Gasworks Communities United (GCU), a national alliance campaigning for stronger safeguards to protect communities from air pollution caused by contaminated land remediation.
I want to be a voice for residents and businesses. Southall Broadway attracts thousands of visitors yearly and is in a dirty and neglected state. It is time to make the ward a place that both businesses and residents can be proud of.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by influencing change and advocating on behalf of residents facing considerable socio-economic disadvantage. After years of campaigning and meeting with councillors and council officers, the derelict playground on Spencer Street in Southall was refurbished and it is lovely to see children using the facility.
What is your personal connection to either Southall Broadway or any other part of the borough?
I have lived in Southall for 20 years and worked at Southall Community College for 15 years.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
I have brought up two well-grounded daughters who went to excellent local schools, establishing a strong foundation for future success. I established Gasworks Communities United, which has enabled campaigners to connect on issues relating to the redevelopment of former gasworks. CASH’s testimonies on air pollution in Southall was part of the Vital Signs: Another World Is Possible exhibition at the Science Gallery.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Southall Broadway faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
My priorities for Southall Broadway ward are to consult residents and businesses to address the key issues, which are: parking, no public toilets, fly-tipping, dirty streets, crime and antisocial behaviour and rough sleeping.
How accessible will you be to Southall Broadway 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?
I can always be contacted via info@ealingindependents.org, or through the social media channels of CASH and Southall Residents Alliance. I am always out and about in Southall Broadway, in conversation with local residents and businesses – they know I’m there to support them and that’s not ever going to change.
Along with all Ealing Community Independents candidates, we are committed to re-establishing neighbourhood engagement in all wards. Our councillors will be responsive to local members and will report back regularly through open meetings in their wards.
We promise to:
Restore ward forums to formally consult over local budgets, planning priorities and public realm schemes
Engage with residents regularly via street surgeries, meetings online and in person, newsletters, email and other communications
Respond to written requests within five days of a resident’s first contact
Ensure a clear visible presence in every ward, supported by ward teams of Ealing Community Independent members
Click here for all Southall Broadway candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
