Local Elections 7th May 2026
Hayes Independent Candidates
Hayes Independent Candidates are dedicated to serving the residents of Hayes in the London Borough of Hillingdon. We aim to provide a truly independent voice, free from party political constraints, ensuring that the needs of our community will always be the top priority. Our candidates are committed to working extremely hard for local residents, ready to raise local issues and deal with casework, putting community needs first.
Hari Bhandari
Candidate for Hayes Town Ward
Hari Bhandari is the Founder and CEO of The Gurkha Centre, a UK-registered charity that supports Gurkha veterans, widows, and families in West London through health, welfare, and social inclusion initiatives.
He is a social worker and postgraduate researcher currently undertaking a Masters of Research in Health and Social Care at the University of Hertfordshire. Hari's professional background spans adult social care, hospital discharge pathways, and community-based advocacy, with a strong commitment to ethical practice, vulnerable adults, and evidence-informed policy.
A former Gurkha soldier with strong core values and cultural competences, Hari is standing up to serve the local residents of Hayes, London Borough of Hillingdon.
Peter Curling
Candidate for Hayes Town Ward
Peter is a lifelong resident of the area, he was born in Hillingdon Hospital and has lived, and worked, in Hillingdon all his life. His family has deep roots in the local area and can be traced back to the 1850s.
He has been a councillor for 24 years, representing Charville, Townfield, and Hayes Town ward. He first stood for council in 2002 so that he could put something back into the community and the area where he grew up.
Peter is also a Hospital Radio volunteer and has been since the early 1980s. Providing entertainment and information to the hospital and local care homes.
He is very community minded and has dedicated his life to serving the local community and the Hayes area.
Janet Gardner
Candidate for Hayes Town Ward
Janet has lived in Hayes for over 50 years and loves the local community.
She has been a councillor for 32 years and has a reputation as someone who gets things done.
Janet is the borough’s Domestic Abuse Victims Advocate and has worked hard for all victims and survivors of domestic abuse, dealing with thousands of cases over the years.
Her work on Domestic abuse, has been mentioned in both the house of commons and the house of lords, and she has won national recognition for her innovative work in this area.
Janet is a great champion for Hayes and works tirelessly to ensure that fly-tipping and environmental issues are reported and acted upon.
Rakesh Kumar
Candidate for Wood End Ward
I have lived in Hayes, for over 20 years, a community I proudly call home. I worked at Heathrow Airport until 2013, when my life changed as I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. While this was a significant turning point, it strengthened my resilience and deepened my perspective on life, community, and service.
My reason for wanting to stand for election as a Hayes Independent councillor is simply to give back. My journey through family values, hard work, personal challenge, and lived experience. This has prepared me to serve the local community with understanding, adaptability, and commitment.
I believe in honesty and integrity, and in finding solutions to problems together
Ahmad Rafique
Candidate for Wood End Ward
I live in Hayes and work in local government, where I focus on improving services and supporting residents. I understand how council decisions affect daily life, and I use my experience to speak up for fair and practical action.
I am already involved in raising concerns about safety, housing conditions, cleaner streets and better local services. I listen to residents, follow up on issues and work to get real solutions.
For Wood End Ward, I want to help create safer neighbourhoods, improve the local environment, support families and young people and make sure the council uses money wisely. My aim is to be a strong voice for the community and to put residents first.
Danielle Watson
Candidate for Wood End Ward
As a Hayes resident of over 20 years and a Wood End local, I am standing as an Independent candidate to provide strong, practical representation for our community.
My professional background includes working within the council’s Parking, Highways, Community Safety and ASB teams, followed by my current role as a Housing Officer. This experience has given me first-hand knowledge of the issues residents face and how the system works.
Independent of party politics, I am committed to putting residents first and delivering real results for Hayes and Wood End.
Scott Farley
Candidate for Yeading Ward
Scott has been a dedicated community advocate for 8 years, achieving significant improvements for residents. He is a hardworking and community-focused individual, committed to putting residents' interests above all else. Scott has also brought together local residents in the Barnhill estate, and been instrumental in the formation of the Barnhill Estate Residents Association (BERA).
He is standing as an independent candidate due to an increased frustration with the big mainstream political parties and career politicians.
As a long-term community champion, Scott has seen Yeading continuously being underserved and taken for granted.
Karina Marqvardt
Candidate for Yeading Ward
Karina is a resident of Yeading ward and is standing as an independent candidate due to an increased frustration with the big mainstream political parties and career politicians.
As a long-term community champion, Karina has seen Yeading continuously being underserved and taken for granted.
Karina works for a charity and enjoys volunteering in the local community, having done so for decades. She has volunteered with the NHS as an elected Governor and was involved in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE). She’s a keen advocate for health equality in Yeading Ward.
Labina Basit
Candidate for Belmore Ward
Labina us a familiar face in Belmore ward, as she has been an Independent councillor for the last 4 years.
She has worked hard for the residents of Belmore, despite being the only Independent councillor for most of that time.
Labina serves on the Health and social care select committee, and she is also the chief whip of the Hayes Independent group on the council, although as a party of independents, we do not whip our members to vote in any particular way. With the Hayes Independent party, every vote is a free vote and our councillors vote in the best interests of the residents that they represent.
Dion Donaghy
Candidate for Belmore Ward
Dion is a Hayes resident and community champion, who thinks that local politics and local councillors, should serve the residents, not political masters.
He is committed to putting the interests of the residents of Belmore first and foremost.
Like most people, he has lost faith in the main political parties, who all seem to put their own self interests before those that they are supposed to represent.
Chris Hills
Candidate for Charville Ward
Chris is a life long resident of the borough and has strong family roots in the Hayes area.
He is a keen community champion, who has become disillusioned with the main political parties and wants to see more ordinary, independent, people representing local residents.
Mike Usher
Candidate for Charville Ward
Mike is a former Labour councillor, and leader of the Labour group. He has become very disilussioned with the mainstream political parties and career politicians.
He is a member of the Dawley Housing Coop and was previously chair of the local Safer Neighbour panel.
Jazz Dhillon
Candidate for Pinkwell Ward
Jazz is a familiar face around Pinkwell, as he lives in the ward and has previously served as a Pinkwell councillor for many years.
He has always been a strong advocate for the residents and for the area. He gained national news coverage in 2018 with his campaign to get something done about the street racing and illegal car meets that blighted the area, especially at the Asda car park.
Jazz is, and always has been, a great community champion for Pinkwell.
Hashim Shiek
Candidate for Pinkwell Ward
Hashim lives locally and has consistently supported the local community. He runs a local support, advice and advocacy service and is a strong champion for residents.
As a real community champion he works hard for the people of Hayes, and is very keen to tackle the issues of Pinkwell ward, and will always put your interests first
Our Commitment to Hayes
All our candidates are deeply rooted in the Hayes community. We are passionate about local issues and committed to bringing about positive change for everyone who lives and works here. We stand for transparency, accountability, and putting the needs of Hayes residents first in everything we do.