Richmond upon Thames Council is considering granting Sir Vince Cable the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough, a rare honour bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the area.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of the Council, and seconded by Councillor Andrée Frieze, Leader of the Opposition, signals strong bipartisan support for the recognition of Sir Vince's achievements. This unusual display of unity underscores the widespread respect for Sir Vince's service.
The motion recognises Sir Vince's contributions as a public servant, politician, and ambassador for local charities, as well as his long-standing dedication to the Twickenham constituency as a Member of Parliament for three decades.
The agenda for the meeting, held on Tuesday 11 November 2025, also included declarations of interest from councillors, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct. Councillors were reminded to specify the agenda item number and the nature of their interest before any relevant discussions.
The Public Reports Pack provided to attendees included the full motion:
That Sir Vince Cable be admitted to be an Honorary Freeman of the Borough in recognition of his achievements as an exemplary public servant and politician, patron and ambassador for local charities, as a resident of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and, in particular, his dedication and contribution in three decades as a Member of Parliament for the Twickenham constituency.
The meeting, held at York House, included attendees such as Councillor Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Richard Baker, and Councillor Nancy Baldwin, Vice-chair of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee (Spokesperson for Communities, Equalities & the Voluntary Sector).