Former Hounslow Council Leader Dave Wetzel Dies

Known for Fares Fair and having Shepherd's Bush footbridge named after him

Dave Wetzel (centre) campaigning for the Greens on Chiswick High Road. Picture: Hounslow Green Party

August 6, 2024

Dave Wetzel, former leader of Hounslow Council, has died aged 82. A committed socialist, he is generally recognised as being one of the individuals to have had most influence in shaping transport policy in London over the last four decades.

He was first elected as a Labour councillor for the newly formed London Borough of Hounslow in 1964 aged 21 and returned to the area in the eighties having been elected to the Greater London Council (GLC) in the meantime.

The former bus conductor was the architect of the ‘Fares Fair’ at the GLC along with Ken Livingstone when he was elected as the member for Hammersmith and Fulham in 1981 . The party had won a significant majority after pledging to cut fares by a quarter and introduce a simplified zonal fare system, although this did require a mid-year increase in local taxes. Dave Wetzel was made chair the Transport Committee immediately after the election and remained in this post until the GLC was abolished in 1986.

Although the policy of cheap fares was eventually ended by the House of Lords and Margaret Thatcher’s government, which also went on to abolish the GLC, the reduction in cost of public transport is generally recognised to have significantly boosted tube and bus usage and encouraged commuters to switch from cars.

Initially Mr Wetzel initially refused to implement the Lords’ decision and launched a ‘Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay’ campaign during which he dressed up in a gorilla costume and refused to pay a bus fare.

In recognition of his work on transport in London, the footbridge over Shepherd’s Bush Green featured a train with his name on leading it to be known locally as the Dave Wetzel Bridge. This was demolished ahead of redevelopment of Shepherd’s Bush tube station in the nineties and there is no known train from the time named after him. However, in 2005, a London Underground train was named in his honour during his tenure as Vice-Chair of Transport for London (TfL).

Returning to Hounslow, he served as leader of the council from 1987 to 1991.

Mr Wetzel was also President of the Labour Land Campaign since 1982 having been inspired by the ideas of Henry George who advocated a system of taxation based on the value of land. He also served for 12 years as the President of the West London Peace Council up to 1994.

Having been a member of the Labour party for decades, in 2014 he switched to the Greens and actively campaigned in their behalf.

Dave Wetzel was a regular correspondent with this web site offering insightful information and gently worded corrections when errors were made.

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, current Leader of Hounslow Council, said, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dave last week – my thoughts are with his family and friends.

“With a career in public service spanning more than forty years, Dave played a role in building the foundations of Hounslow Council when it was created in 1964. He was the embodiment of what public service should be. ”

A black ribbon has been placed around the flag at Hounslow House and tribute will be paid to Mr Wetzel at a council meeting due to take place in September.