Proposals to link Richmond Council with Hounslow under the Greater London Authority (GLA) have sparked a storm of protest from the ruling Liberal Democrats.

Richmond will be grouped with Kingston and Hounslow when the Local Government Commission (LGC) sets up electoral areas for the GLA.

The Richmond Liberal Democrats say it makes more sense to be linked with Sutton and explained why they want to be joined with Sutton.

A spokesman said: "To start with, we think that a cross river link could be a disadvantage - as does the LGC.

"Second, the LGC has stated similar types of borough should be linked; we feel Richmond has more in common with Sutton than Hounslow.

And council leader David Williams insisted: "this has nothing to do with politics; Hounslow has different problems to ourselves and Sutton."

But the line taken by Richmond Liberals has found favour with Hounslow's ruling Labour group. A spokesman for Hounslow Council said: "We agree with the stance taken by Richmond.

"It is much better for us to have links with Hillingdon and Ealing where the main thing we have in common is Heathrow airport."

Richmond Conservative group leader Tony Arbour said: "I have known David Williams for 30 years and this is the first time I have ever heard him say Richmond has anything in common with Sutton.

"It goes without saying that we should be linked to Hounslow."

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