These are the opposition councillors tasked with keeping the Liberal Democrats in check on Sutton Council. With the Lib Dems holding both the local MP and a large council majority, these voices play an important role in maintaining balance in local democracy.
The electorate has spoken, but even strong local governments benefit from checks and balances, to coin a recent quote from King Charles.
Sutton is widely regarded as one of the better boroughs to live in London, and many residents feel the Lib Dems generally do a good job.
But when things go wrong, for the next four years, who is there to hold them to account?
Meet the Opposition
Nick Mattey, Independent, Beddington Ward
Nick Mattey is known for environmental activism, especially opposition to the Beddington Lane waste incinerator in south London. A former Liberal Democrat councillor, he became independent after disputes over the project and alleged conflicts of interest. His politics focus on environmental protection, local accountability, anti-corruption, and resisting overdevelopment and pollution in Sutton. He supports small business investment and tackling poverty, while criticising major parties and local Lib Dem leadership. He later aligned with the Green Party on environmental issues but remained an independent councillor rather than joining a party.
Janey Gould, Reform UK, St Helier West Ward
A newly elected councillor for St Helier West has lived in the area for nearly 40 years and has been actively involved in community life, including youth football and serving as secretary for Carshalton Athletic FC. Community spirit is central to her approach, alongside a commitment to addressing long-standing local issues. She aims to listen to residents, work hard across the ward and the wider borough, and help restore a stronger sense of local connection. She understands the frustrations many residents feel and is committed to representing them with care, respect, and dedication.
Alison Long, Reform UK, St Helier West Ward
Alison Long has been elected as a councillor for Sutton and has lived in the area all her life, giving her a strong understanding of the issues residents face. She is grateful to those who placed their trust in her during the election. The result is seen as a mandate for change, stronger local representation, and a council that listens more closely to residents. She is committed to working for the whole community across the borough, prioritising local concerns and everyday issues. Her focus now turns to delivering on commitments and beginning work to represent residents with dedication, accountability, and a strong sense of local responsibility.
Dave Tchill, Labour and Co-operative Party, Hackbridge
Dave Tchil is a councillor for Sutton and a member of the local opposition group, where he focuses on holding the council to account and representing residents’ concerns. He is involved in scrutiny work and aims to challenge decisions where he believes local voices are not being properly heard. His priorities include improving accountability, strengthening communication between residents and the council, and ensuring that local services reflect community needs. He is committed to active casework and addressing issues raised by constituents across the borough, with a focus on practical outcomes and transparent decision-making.
🤔 The question is – what do you want them to scrutinise?
Disclaimer: *Any resemblance to actual characters in Marvel’s Thunderbolts is purely coincidental. Clearly, no AI was used in the generation of these images. This is written to the best of our knowledge and we reserve the right to make further clarifications and corrections.
