On 10 October 2024, residents in the Northolt Mandeville ward will take part in a by-election to vote for a new ward councillor.
EALING.NEWS has asked all candidates standing 7 questions about who they are, what they hope to deliver and why they want residents to vote for them.
Natalia Kubica standing for the Green Party in Northolt Mandeville answers the 7 questions:
Tell us a bit about yourself, your priorities for the ward and why you want to be councillor for Northolt Mandeville?
Growing up in the Northolt area, I have seen first-hand the struggles our community faces – from lack of affordable housing to families struggling to put food on the table. My priorities for Northolt Mandeville would be to protect our irreplaceable environment and represent the needs of our residents – from bringing down energy bills to supporting carers to tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
What motivates you?
Over the years, I saw the destruction that the previous Conservative government wreaked in our country. I watched them disregard the environment, decimate workers’ rights, and plunge us into a cost-of-living crisis. Sadly, the new Labour government is simply not offering the scale of change and ambition that’s needed and that so many people are calling out for. It falls on local councils to support residents struggling with the cost of living, to protect our few remaining community spaces, and to provide local services to support our most vulnerable neighbours. I want to see real hope, real change, and a better future for us all. That is why I got into politics.
What is your own personal connection to either Northolt Mandeville or any other part of the borough?
I have lived in the Northolt area my whole life and grown up here. I am very fond of this part of London and its people, which includes many of my friends and family.
What do you consider to be your 3 top political, work or personal achievements and what impact have they had?
• During the covid-19 lockdowns, I started and coordinated a mutual aid group in Northolt, where we matched people in need of support with volunteers willing and able to help. The group grew to over 300 members and made a real difference to lots of vulnerable residents.
• My first direct involvement in politics was in 2019 when I was involved in organising some of the student climate strikes, which brought the climate crisis to the forefront of the political agenda and resulted in the Government declaring a climate emergency.
• One thing I’m very proud of is my continuous support for trade unions. I’ve stood on picket lines with many unions including nurses, transport workers, and, more recently, the traffic wardens who were on strike this month in Ealing. I coordinated a student movement in support of the University and College Union strikes at my university, and I spoke at several of their London demonstrations.
What do you consider to be the top 3 challenges Northolt Mandeville faces and how will you as a councillor address them?
• Across Northolt, people are choosing between heating and eating. Our reliance on fossil fuels continues to drive up energy prices and contribute to the climate crisis. If elected, I will push for renewable energy schemes as well as home insulation to bring bills down.
• Many people in Northolt are suffering due to the cost-of-living crisis, particularly elderly residents and those with caring responsibilities. A major priority of mine will be ensuring that there is adequate support available for our elderly neighbours and carers.
• As a candidate for the Green Party, it goes without saying that one of my biggest priorities will be protecting our community’s green spaces, which are vital for both physical and mental health, particularly in a city like London. Northolt has some beautiful green spaces, and I will fight to make sure they are protected and well cared for.
What do you love about Northolt Mandeville and the borough of Ealing?
Ealing is one of the greenest boroughs in London – I love the wide variety of open green spaces we have here despite being in the capital city. It’s also full of lovely people from many different backgrounds. The rich and diverse culture in Ealing is quite beautiful, and the community spirit here is unlike any other, especially here in Northolt. I saw this in action during the covid-19 lockdowns when the community here came together to support our most vulnerable residents.
How accessible will you be to Northolt Mandeville 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 can get in touch with me by email at natalia.kubica@votegreen.uk. If elected, I will hold regular open meetings for residents to voice their concerns in person, as well as having contact details available for those who can’t make it or would rather contact me in writing – there is no better way to represent people than by actually speaking and listening to them, on their terms!
