Local Chiswick Gunnersbury Councillor and teacher Ron Mushiso has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the South West constituency in next year's London Assembly elections. Currently represented by Nick Rogers, who is standing down next year, the seat covers the boroughs of Hounslow, Richmond and Twickenham.

Councillor Mushiso has lived in the constituency for almost all of his adult life, having come to the UK at the age of 12 from a small village in Uganda. He was fostered in both Hounslow and Richmond, and attended a local comprehensive school in Hounslow. He studied at Richmond Adult College and St Mary's University whilst playing elite-level rugby for the London Broncos. He also had a short stint as head coach for Old Emmanuel rugby team whilst they were based in New Malden.

He currently works as a teacher in Ealing, and has represented Chiswick Gunnersbury as a local councillor since 2018.

In his role as a councillor, Cllr Mushiso has campaigned on a number of issues including social care and youth services, two area he has a particular interest in given his background as a teacher and having been fostered growing up. In addition to these areas, he regularly helps to organise litter picks across the Chiswick area. He is also committed to a number of local community causes, having organised a series of charitable donations drives with Laptops for Learning to provide digital technology for disadvantaged children and refugees in South West London, and is also a regular volunteer at the Chiswick Flower Market.

"I'm honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for South West London, the place where I grew up and call home," said Mushiso. "Having been fostered across Hounslow, Isleworth, Chiswick and Richmond, I have a profound understanding of the different cultural perspectives that shape the lives of so many South West Londoners, and believe I can use this to reach across the different divides to address the priorities of the local community, from tackling crime and improving the housing situation to standing up to the mayor on the proposed expansion of ULEZ. Drawing on my background as a councillor, a teacher and a former athlete, I will lead a positive and energetic campaign as a strong, local voice for residents in South West London."

Prior to selection, Councillor Mushiso received a number of endorsements from existing and former London Assembly Members, including Keith Prince, who represents Havering and Redbridge on the Assembly, and former South West Assembly Member Tony Arbour.

Former Assembly Member Tony Arbour said: "I've known Ron Mushiso as a Party member and campaigner long before he was elected councillor. His long service in the community and his proven track record makes him the ideal candidate to represent us."

The London Assembly election will take place in May 2014, alongside elections for the Mayor of London.