I learnt early this morning that Alan Keen had passed away. Very sad news and I made some comments on here.
Yesterday was the first time I recall that Alan was not present at the Remberance Sunday in Feltham. It is extremely sad that his passing was the reason.
RIP.
A column for the Chronicle will alternative between Mary Macleod, Alan Keen, Jagdish Sharma and I. Here is my first.
Yes, I admit it. I read Alan Keen’s website. I saw this today (ok, don’t read it regularly).
It really would be much more interesting to people if Mr Keen were to issue News Releases that did not appear to be based on Labour Party templates sent out to all MPs that containwithin:
<INSERT Name of Opponent>
<INSERT Constituency>
By not following templates, he would not allow himself to be accused of claiming something that is incorrect, in this case, “Mark Bowen are still refusing to answer even the most basic questions.”
Maybe Mr Keen will send me an email (or in his case a letter as I have never received an email from him before) stating where/when such questions have been asked?
For once, I am not talking about one of mine. Through my door yesterday came a very nice looking glossy – Parliamentary News Alan Keen MP Winter 2009. It came with the rest of the post so was delivered by Royal Mail.
The leaflet includes a perforated edge with next year’s calendar (quite expensive I recall when I priced this feature).
The key bit (and why I am posting) was the small print at the bottom of the last page:
“Paid for by the Communications Allowance, House of Commons”
I have been delivering literature throughout Feltham & Heston over the past year or so. I have been delivering Half Year Reports in my ward since I was elected in 2002 and [along with Gill & Allan] since re-elected in 2006.
The key point is that the glossy literature that has gone out in relation to my campaign to replace Alan Keen was paid for by the Feltham & Heston Conservative Association. The deliveries of that literature have been made by me and a number of brilliant volunteers.
I am interested to know:
I do not recall Mr Keen using this Communications Allowance before. Comments on why it is being used now are welcome.
It goes without saying, that I disagree with the Communications Allowance and, if I become MP, it will not be used in Feltham & Heston.
Watch this space [blog] (maintained by me at no cost).
Update: I was wrong in that he has used the Communications Allowance previously. See here.
More generally, here is what can be accessed on the web.
This was discussed at the West Area Meeting last Thursday. It was good to see a number of residents present, four of whom spoke and spoke really well and gave reasons for such a development is not appropriate. This matter will not be determined by the Council but I do urge anyone with comment to feed them back. I hope that the Council will set up a page on the website and will chase this.
The next day, this item was front page news. I agree with what Alan Keen says. I wish him well in anything he can do with the Secretary of State and very much hope that he raises this matter, when he can, on the floor of the House of Commons.
We later discussed the ambition for Ashford/St Peter’s to become a Foundation. Very interesting.
One of the more interesting Area Committee meetings for me.
This article prompted me to post on this subject.
It would depend what the question is but if it is answer to the recent controversy over expenses, I think that this is a red herring. This is one of those issues where my views have remained constant from when I was a teenage member of the Labour Party to now as a Conservative Parliamentary Candidate.
I accept that the First Past the Post system is not perfect but I still maintain that it is the least worst of all the options. Despite the recent disasterous behaviour and subsequent stories about MPs, I still fundamentally believe in someone being elected to represent a defined geographical area. Those people can be removed at an election if the electorate are not happy with them.
I am not supportive of Multi-Member systems either.
Interesting to note of another issue where Alan Keen and I agree!
Here.
A stark constrast to the recent explanation from Mr Keen!
Bowen's blog 