What does it mean to be a Liberal in Barnet: Lord Palmer of Childs Hill speaks to Sarah Hoyle
Monroe Palmer first stood as a Liberal candidate for Barnet London Borough Council in Childs Hill ward in 1968, first elected 1986 , stood down in 1994, returned 1998 and finally retired in 2014. He was created Baron Palmer of Childs Hill, of Childs Hill in the London Borough of Barnet on 17 January 2011 and sits in the Lords as a Liberal Democrat.
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1) When were you first elected and what was your first piece of casework?
My first piece of casework was many moons ago. An early case was complaints from a low-rise Council block of flats that water was coming through the roof. Council said it had repaired it but leaks continued. I went round pulled loft ladder down and climbed on the roof where I found the repair had been nailing a piece of felt over the crack. But the nails had created more holes. The roof was then refelted.
2) What was the biggest battle you fought and won as a councillor?
Many biggest battles but one was when I was Chairman of Planning & Development. A National developer had built a small block but had built it too high for neighbouring houses. I found they had built it a few yards nearer the houses than was approved. The developer wouldn’t accept this. I suggested they removed a floor and it could be approved. They refused so Planning Committee made them pull it down and rebuild.
3) As a Liberal, what are your hopes and fears for the country?
You ask for my hopes and fears for the country. I hope we can restore tolerance and goodwill. I fear that UK is becoming ungovernable with Tory and Labour Governments without a longtime plan for the economy and infrastructure.
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Sarah Hoyle was the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Finchley and Golders Green in the 2024 General Election. Sarah was born in West London, but has lived in Cricklewood and Childs Hill for over 15 years. Sarah helped establish the Childs Hill Foodbank in 2020.