Tribute to Cllr Jagdish Sharma

I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of Councillor Jagdish Sharma, MBE. Jagdish was a friend and a long serving colleague of mine at Hounslow Council. He was a giant of Hounslow politics and made a huge contribution to our local life.

He was the longest serving councillor and served with distinction in both Hounslow Heath and Hounslow West wards. Jagdish was first elected in 1974 as a councillor and became the first Asian Mayor of Hounslow in 1979. He then went on to serve as Chair of a number of other committees, before becoming deputy leader and then leader of the council in 2010 when I served as his deputy leader. During that time, we worked together on important projects including ensuing all Council staff and their contractors are paid the London Living wage, started on the regeneration of Hounslow and Brentford Town Centres and ensuring that key frontline services such as libraries remained available to all.

I saw Jagdish’s principled leadership and his firm dedication to representing all of Hounslow's communities and his commitment to civic life. Councillors of all parties will attest to how seriously Jagdish took his work as Leader and the dedication he showed to our Borough. Outside of the council he spent over 30 years as a teacher and headteacher, while also serving as a Justice of the Peace and School Governor. His kindness and dedication to helping the next generation stood out in all of his work.

A mark of his work was shown by the late Queen Elizabeth personally awarding him an MBE for his service. I was so pleased that we were able to hold an event honouring Jadgish’s 50 years as a councillor where so many of us could tell and show Jadgish just how much of a difference he has made to our borough.

I will remember his gentle kindness and support. His legacy will live on across the Borough.

Photo courtesy of the London Borough of Hounslow