Dhruv Sengupta, a resident on the Hounslow-Twickenham border for 17 years, spent his childhood in the constituency, frequently exploring the area with classmates on the 111 bus route while attending Tiffin School.After graduating from Oxford, he joined the Liberal Democrats in 2022. Prioritising his career in tech, Dhruv initially assisted with online communications. However, his experience as Communications Officer for the Richmond Borough Core Executive spurred his commitment to effect change in Feltham & Heston. Joining the Hounslow Executive, he continued in his role before being selected as the Liberal Democrats' candidate for the constituency.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Dhruv discussed plans and initiatives for the constituency, emphasising cultural integration and the celebration of diversity within the community and much more.
1) What specific plans does the Liberal Democrat party have for Feltham & Heston, and how do you plan to implement them?
Liberal Democrat policies prioritise what politicians should truly be doing: engaging with and understanding local residents. As someone local myself, I haven’t just been doing this around the election – it’s something I do constantly. Here are some key points on my local agenda:
Social housing support: There are reports of multiple households who are having to choose between a hygienic living situation and feeding their kids. This is a council issue, so the way to implement change is bringing specific cases before the Labour-run council and threatening to bring action if the relevant funding is not allocated.
Local NHS support: In 2023, it was reported that Heston Health Centre, which itself has 4 GP surgeries, was designated as unsuitable to deliver 21st-century primary care by the chair of the Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group. If elected, I'll demand transparent progress updates on the Integrated Care Board from local Labour representatives and enforce clear timelines.
Waste management: It's clear from the situation on our streets that waste management is not good enough in Hounslow. We need to tackle the littering and fly-tipping culture head on with stricter fines that are actually enforced, while also holding contractors accountable on missed collections.
Police support: If elected, I'll prioritise tackling the monthly reality of attempted robberies, particularly targeting cars. I'll advocate for increased community policing as a deterrent. Additionally, I'll explore reallocating CCTV budgets to subsidise video doorbells for residents, enhancing security measures.
2)How will you engage with the South Asian population in Feltham & Heston, address their specific needs, and promote cultural integration and diversity?
Celebrating diversity in Feltham & Heston has always been a personal commitment for me, rooted in my background. With roots in Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, my upbringing by Delhiite parents who later moved to the UK in '99 instilled a strong connection to my South Asian identity. During Covid, I dedicated myself to improving my Hindi skills, even learning to read and write. Last year, I engaged with Bilete Bangali leaders to discuss hosting more community events in the constituency following the successful Durga Puja celebration at Feltham Assembly Hall.
To promote cultural integration, we must maximise the potential of existing community events organised by various societies. By fostering unity with council support, these events can create a more inclusive atmosphere for all community members. My upbringing and experiences, including studying at Tiffin School, have given me a diverse network of friends from South Asian backgrounds. Integration thrives when there are spaces available for collective celebration.
3) As the youngest candidate standing for Feltham & Heston, how do you plan to compete with more experienced candidates, and what unique perspectives or advantages do you bring to the table?
Youth is only a strength – it gives me a true long-term thinking perspective. Experience is a separate matter - there are only three relevant types of experience here, and I feel confident that I can compete with any candidate on each of them. These themselves create my unique perspective and advantage.
Firstly, there's life experience, where age doesn't always translate to a deeper understanding of local issues. Instead, it's about how long and how recently one has lived locally. In my case, I've lived at the same address since 2007, giving me firsthand insight into our community's needs and concerns.
In terms of political experience, despite being younger than every member of the Hounslow Borough Liberal Democrats Executive, I have been chosen as their candidate. Within the party, I have demonstrated my skills as an experienced campaigner and public speaker, earning recognition for my contributions. Recently, I was featured on national news channels like Sky and BBC as one of the candidates invited to the Liberal Democrat Manifesto Launch.
At just 23 years old, I am already at the helm of an AI startup, following a career trajectory that began in Venture Capital and Big Tech. If organisations and older colleagues trust me to lead, why should my age be a factor?
4) What message do you want to convey to young voters in Feltham & Heston, and how do you plan to address their concerns and aspirations?
Young voters should know that they are not forgotten. The reason I joined this party was that I saw space for representing people like me, and fighting for their issues. Whether it be young people, South Asians, or the intersection.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to addressing issues that resonate personally with young people like me. Despite working in Tech, owning a home seemed like an impossibility, leading me to continue living with my parents due to soaring rents. My party recognises the housing crisis, and is pledging to build 380,000 new homes annually. On another note, despite being lucky enough to have gained a place at a grammar school, I still witnessed constant inadequate funding. On this point, the Liberal Democrats arededicated to increasing school and college funding per pupil above the rate of inflation each year. Even though my parents are not yet retired or require care, I worry about what might happen to them if I leave home – my party is dedicated to restoring proper community policing, 8000 more GPs, and tackling pollution and waste.
I am confident that my shared experience with local young voters will allow me to tackle any issue they face – I hope that they will put their faith in me to represent them.
