On 7 May 2026, residents in the South Acton 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 Husam Alharahsheh, standing for Ealing Green Party in South Acton has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for South Acton?
I am an academic and policy developer, and I am proud to stand as the Green Party candidate for South Acton. In 2025, I was elected by members nationwide to the Green Party’s policy development committee, reflecting the confidence placed in me to contribute to shaping policy at a national level. I continue to support policy on key areas across social, economic, skills, and education priorities, ensuring that policy is grounded in evidence and capable of delivering real outcomes.
My academic background includes study and research at leading UK institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge. I am dual-qualified, with a focus on strategic management alongside teacher training and education, particularly in areas related to employment, skills, and professional development. My work centres on how institutions can be more effective, more accountable, and more aligned with the needs of the people they serve.
I have lived in Ealing for over 15 years. Over recent months, I have spent a great deal of time speaking directly with local residents on doorsteps, in conversations, and through wider engagement. One message has come through consistently and clearly: people feel that no one is truly listening, and that action is not following words. There is a growing sense of disappointment, and in some cases, a feeling of being let down by those responsible for making decisions.
This is not simply frustration; it reflects a deeper issue in how decisions are made and communicated. When people feel unheard for a long period, it risks disengagement, which is not healthy for any community.
I am standing because I believe we need to reset that relationship. My priorities are therefore focused on strengthening local services, improving environmental quality, ensuring value for money in public spending, and, critically, restoring trust through transparent, evidence-led, and responsive decision-making.
What motivates you?
What motivates me is the gap between intention and delivery.
In both policy and practice, there is often no shortage of plans, but the real question is whether those plans translate into outcomes that people can see and feel in their daily lives. Through my policy work and local engagement, I have seen how decisions that are not grounded in evidence or shaped by community input can lead to declining services and missed opportunities.
At the same time, I am motivated by what I hear from residents. Many people are not asking for unrealistic change, they are asking for consistency, accountability, and to be heard. That is both reasonable and achievable.
For me, the focus is on bringing a more disciplined, evidence-based approach to decision-making, one that ensures public resources deliver value, and that policies lead to tangible improvements.
What is your own personal connection to either South Acton or any other part of the borough?
Ealing has been my home for over 15 years. It is where I have lived, worked and built a strong understanding of community life.
South Acton is a vibrant and diverse area, with a strong sense of identity and resilience. But it is also an area where many residents have experienced change that has not always been matched by improvements in services or infrastructure. I have seen this not as an observer, but as someone living within the community.
That lived experience matters. It shapes how I listen, how I understand issues, and how I approach solutions.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
Being elected to the Green Party’s Policy Development Committee is one of my most significant achievements. It reflects national party-level trust in my ability to help shape policy, and it allows me to bring a strategic, evidence-based perspective to local decision-making.
My academic and research work is another key achievement. Through my studies and research at Oxford, Cambridge, and other institutions, I have focused on improving how organisations function better, particularly in areas of quality assurance and policy development, accountability, strategy, and delivery. My work has consistently emphasised the importance of moving from analysis to implementation.
Finally, my engagement with communities and policy discussions has enabled me to develop a strong ability to listen carefully, understand concerns, and translate them into practical approaches. This combination of research, strategy, and listening is central to how I work.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges South Acton faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
One of the most significant challenges is the pressure on local services and community provision. Residents have raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure development while blocks are being built, and about limited access to libraries, learning spaces, and wider services, as these are being stretched or reduced. Addressing this requires stronger scrutiny, better prioritisation, and a clear focus on value for money at the council level.
A second challenge is the quality of the local environment, including public spaces and green areas. These are not minor issues; they shape everyday experience. Maintaining and improving them requires consistent standards and long-term thinking.
The third challenge is trust in decision-making. Many residents feel that their voices are not reflected in outcomes. Rebuilding that trust requires transparency, meaningful engagement, and a willingness to act where possible, not just consult.
What do you love about South Acton and the borough of Ealing?
Ealing is one of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs, with a strong sense of community and shared identity.
South Acton, in particular, stands out for its resilience and community spirit. People care deeply about where they live , and that is something that should be matched by leadership that listens, responds, and delivers.
How accessible will you be to South Acton 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?
Accessibility is fundamental to how I approach representation.
I am already engaging with residents through direct communication and listening to concerns. If elected, I will hold regular surgeries, remain accessible through email and digital platforms, and ensure ongoing engagement beyond election periods. Listening should not be limited to campaigns; it should be continuous and meaningful.
Final thoughts from me to the lovely people of South Acton and other wards in Ealing:
This election is ultimately about how we move forward.
There is a clear sense that change is needed, not for the sake of change itself, but to ensure that decisions are more strategic, more accountable, and more closely aligned with the needs of residents.
I encourage people to speak to one another, across South Acton and across Ealing, and to consider supporting Green candidates as part of that change.
If we want a council that listens, reflects, and delivers, then we must take that step together by VOTING GREEN.
Click here for all South Acton candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
