On 7 May 2026, residents in the Walpole 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 Ksenia Maximova, standing for Ealing Liberal Democrats in Walpole, has to say:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Walpole?
My name is Ksenia Maximova and I’m standing as your Liberal Democrat candidate for Walpole alongside William Francis and Matt Mellor. Over the past few months I’ve had countless conversations with residents — on doorsteps, in Lammas Park, and on the high street — and what strikes me every time is how deeply people care about this area. My priorities are straightforward: clean streets, safe parks, proper investment in local infrastructure, and a council that actually listens. I’m standing because residents deserve a councillor who works hard, stays honest, and keeps showing up.
What motivates you?
What motivates me most is those conversations with residents who feel unheard. When someone tells me they’ve reported the same pothole or safety concern three times and nothing’s happened, that frustration is completely legitimate — and it drives me. I got involved in local politics because I believe good representation can make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives. The Liberal Democrats’ track record of tackling mismanagement, fighting for children’s services, and holding Labour to account in Ealing convinced me this is the right team to be part of.
What is your own personal connection to either Walpole or any other part of the borough?
Walpole is my neighbourhood. I’ve spent time in Lammas Park, shopped on the high street, and built connections with the community here. This isn’t a ward I’m parachuting into, it’s where I live and where my kids have grown up. These streets, schools, parks are integral part of our lives and are close to our hearts.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
1. Founding an anti-war Russian organisation and building ties with Ukraine
I founded one of the UK’s leading anti-war Russian civil society organisations, through which we organise anti-war events, crowdfund for Ukraine, and travel regularly to maintain direct relationships on the ground. I also led advocacy campaigns in Westminster, ensuring that the voices of those directly affected by the war reach decision-makers at the highest level.
2. Establishing the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia and Democracy
I set up the APPG on Russia and Democracy, bringing together MPs and peers across party lines to champion democratic values and give this issue sustained parliamentary attention: turning grassroots activism into lasting institutional change.
3. Restoring Baron’s Pond for local wildlife
Closer to home, when Baron’s Pond became silted up and its wildlife was under threat, I crowdfunded to bring in a digger to remove the silt and replenish it with fresh water so that the local ecosystem could recover and thrive. It showed what a determined local community can achieve. It’s exactly the kind of practical, hands-on action I want to bring to Walpole as a councillor.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Walpole faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
1. Street cleanliness, leaves sweeping, and fly-tipping
Dirty streets and fly-tipping are a constant frustration for residents. I will push for more reliable sweeping schedules, faster responses to fly-tipping reports, and proper enforcement against repeat offenders. Clean streets are a basic standard the council must be held to.
2. Anti-social behaviour, crime, and safety.
Too many residents feel unsafe, and concerns go unaddressed. I will work with police and community groups to deliver targeted responses: better lighting in problem areas, push for more visible neighbourhood policing, and clear channels for reporting concerns and seeing them acted upon.
3. An unresponsive council that’s hard to reach.
Residents tell me they can’t get answers or contact the council their representatives. It is hard for older residents to get online, and they have to wait for their children to drop by to sort basic day to day issues. I will publish clear contact details, respond promptly to every resident, and report back openly on what’s been done. Accountability starts with being reachable.
What do you love about Walpole and the borough of Ealing?
I grew up in Ealing and love everything about it. There’s a reason it was called the Queen of the Suburbs: green spaces, tree-lined streets, and a real sense of community that so many parts of London have lost.
Walpole has always felt particularly special to me, a peaceful residential neighbourhood full of wildlife and flowers, where I never used to think twice about walking alone at night. That’s the Walpole worth fighting for, and I’m determined to help bring it back.
How accessible will you be to Walpole 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 have told me too often that they don’t know who their councillor is, let alone how to reach them, I want to change that. If elected, I will hold regular ward surgeries, share my personal mobile number so residents can reach me directly on WhatsApp, and make sure every message gets a prompt, personal response. No one should feel they’re shouting into a void.
Click here for all Walpole candidates standing.
Full coverage of the 2026 Ealing Council local elections and candidates standing can be found here.
