A former councillor and outspoken politician, who helped the Conservatives wrestle control of the borough from Labour, has died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Margaret Williams OBE was first elected to the authority in Earlsfield ward in 1968 in a Tory landslide. But three years later, having changed to represent Putney, she found herself as one of only seven Conservatives left on the council.

She won again in Putney in 1974 and then turned her attentions to south Battersea, where she became the Greater London Council member from 1977 to 1981. Mrs Williams served two terms on the Inner London Education Authority and was chairman of governors at both Elliott and Spencer Park schools. She was mayoress in 1989 to 90.

According to council leader, Edward Lister, Mrs Williams will be remembered as a robust, outspoken politician.

He said: “She vehemently defended her constituents, and attacked Labour’s plans to build more council estates in west Putney’s leafy streets.

“She crusaded against the Balham road barriers - and was indeed pictured taking an axe to them. She rose in Tory party national ranks, becoming the chairman of the London area women’s committee, and was awarded an OBE in 1989 for services to the party.”

Away from politics, Mrs Williams was the Girl Guide captain and ranger guide leader for St John’s Church. She also qualified to play on the outer courts at Wimbledon in her twenties.

Mrs Williams was happily married to Geoffrey, a civil engineer, who she outlived by 22 years. She leaves three daughters and eight grand children following her death on October 19. She was 86.

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