On 7 May 2026, residents in the Greenford 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 Cathy Swift, standing for Ealing Community Independents in Greenford Broadway, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Greenford Broadway?
I was born in Hayes and moved to Ealing to study at the age of 17. I left London in my mid-twenties and lived mainly in the countryside, but returned to Ealing when I retired from a career in big pharma. I loved being back, but was dismayed on my return to see so much rubbish everywhere. Instead of moving straight back to the countryside I joined the Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents (LAGER Can) and started cleaning it up! As the Chair since 2020 I have taken the membership from 375 to 2,500+ and have worked all over the borough with our incredible volunteers. We donate labour equivalent to that of 10 full time employees every year. Members report instant gratification, improvements to their physical and mental health – and great friendships have been made.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by working hard to address a challenge, and seeing results. Whilst we may have made a difference to the cleanliness of the borough, my volunteering with LAGER Can has made me aware of other issues that are of great concern to our residents. I have a real desire to find solutions to these problems.
What is your own personal connection to the borough?
My family has deep roots in the borough. My father and his eight siblings were brought up in Hammond Terrace, Norwood Green. Being brought up in Hayes myself, Greenford, Northolt, Southall and Ealing were my stomping ground as I was growing up. It is perhaps no coincidence that I now live round the corner from the college I attended in the 1970s. My volunteering with LAGER Can has given me a deep knowledge of the whole borough.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
1. Bringing up two daughters and pursuing a demanding career as a single parent.
2. Gaining an MBA from Cranfield University in my mid-forties.
3. LAGER Can receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Greenford Broadway faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
As a councillor, I would address residents’ concerns about overdevelopment and current housing needs not met and anti-social behaviour on Greenford Broadway, particularly at weekends. I’m very hands-on when it comes to the problems of litter blighting our streets and public spaces – that would continue, but I would also use my councillor role to address some of the structural causes of these issues. There is much I, and Ealing Community Independents, can do to improve Greenford by bringing about improvements to our amenities: Greenford Police Station shut years ago and crime increased; stores such as Tesco and Boots closed and were replaced by pound shops and vape stores; Greenford library hours were reduced and it is run by volunteers; and ill-thought out school streets such Oldfield Lane need rethinking.
What do you love about Greenford and the borough of Ealing?
I often travel north to visit friends and family, which is great, but I start to come alive when I get back onto the North Circular on my way home! I love the culture, the beautiful and historic buildings, the parks, the river and the canal. Ealing is a wonderful borough and we all need to look after it and its residents
How accessible will you be to Greenford 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 pride myself on being responsive and helpful to LAGER Can members, and treating our many partners with consideration. My aim would be to make myself similarly available to the residents of Greenford Broadway. I can be reached at info@ealingindependents.org.
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 Greenford Broadway candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
