Congratulations Alan Keen

Knowing how flat out I, and others on my campaign team, have worked not only during this campaign but over a much longer period, this is clearly an impressive result for Labour.  Naturally I feel very disappointed.  There were things that I did not expect such as the following:

1. For the Labour vote to hold up in Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth to hold up the way it did;
2. For the gap between Labour and Conservatives to be as large as it was in Hounslow West & Cranford and, to a lesser extent, Heston

We secured the most votes in Bedfont, Feltham North, Feltham West, Hanworth Park and Hanworth.  However, Labour won by a much greater margin in Heston West, Heston Central, Heston East, Hounslow West and Cranford.

Labour invested heavily in this constituency and I saw over 20 different items of literature from them during the campaign.  They took the threat of the Conservatives seriously.

I respect and accept the decision of residents in this constituency and congratulate Mr Keen.  I do not think I have ever been so tired when giving a speech before but glad I got through it at around 05:30am.  My team could not have done anything more to win this and I will always be grateful to them for their passion and loyalty.

Off to another count at mid-day.  I hope I will continue as a Councillor for Feltham North.

Vote Conservative Today

You have all received the leaflets.  Some of you will have met me on the doorstep and others will have seen me on the various stalls.

If elected, I will be the hardest working, and most local, MP that this constituency has ever had.

Vote Conservative!

Boris back in Feltham and Hounslow West

It was great to have Boris back this morning and to meet so many people.  As is typical, 90% of the people wanted to say hello to him, even if they were not Conservative supporters.  But the response received was brilliant.

Here we are looking at the Freddie Mercury memorial, which was covered the previous time he visited Feltham:

There were so many people wanting to take pictures.

Back to the campaign!

Very very exciting times

Yesterday was a very proud day for me.  Theresa May came to Feltham in the morning and we went round parts of Feltham North.

In the evening, the Party held a rally here in Feltham at the Assembly Hall.  I stood ten feet tall when David Cameron congratulated the team on a energising campaign.  It was a moment I will not forget.

Another high profile Guest comes today.  Exciting times and all to play for.  Back to the campaign!

Unbelievable

I took part in a second hustings earlier this evening.  It was organised by the Hounslow Muslim Forum.  There was a large turnout (100 or so) and the following candidates were on the panel:

Me
Mary Macleod – Conservative in Brentford and Isleworth
Ann Keen – Labour in Brentford and Isleworth
Alan Keen – Labour in Feltham and Heston
Munira Wilson – LibDem in Feltham and Heston
Andrew Dakers – LibDem in Brentford and Isleworth
Elizabeth Anstis – Green in Feltham and Heston
John Hunt – Green in Brentford and Isleworth

We drew lots and the candidates spoke in numerical order.  Alan Keen gave a decent and reasonable opening statement.  I said so.  However, some of what I heard from Ann Keen was beyond belief.  Her opening statement included an attack that not only did Hounslow turn blue in 2006 but it turned white also.  A number of us (not only me) were disgusted by these remarks and whatever happens at this election, these are comments that must be exposed.  I wonder what the Prime Minister would think of them, both publicly and privately?

Later on when Mr Keen was answering a question, Mrs Keen felt the need to call me “a prat”.  And people wonder why there is cynicism about politicians!

I thank those who organised the event.

Blogging tough

I have found it very difficult to update my blog over the past couple of days.  As anyone can imagine, it is a very intense period, probably the most intense of my life.  It is hard going but really well worth it, whatever the result.  But I do believe that ‘Mark Can Win’!

During the past couple of days:

1) Hustings

It was the first hustings of the campaign, indeed the first I have been involved with in Feltham and Heston.  A good turnout – I would say up to 200 people were there.  A lot of the people present were already supporting one party/candidate.   I thought that the event was very well run and I wish everyone involved with organising the event the very best for the future.

I was satisfied from a personal point of view with how it went.  Naturally, I was keen to get across that I am the local candidate who believes in this area.  I was also determined to answer from a personal view and not give anyone an impression that I was just quoting from the manifesto.  There were a couple of points that were made where I would like to have responded but time did not make this possible.

I think it is fair to say that my anger with Labour came across when immigration was discussed.  Whether it went down well with a majority or not, I am glad I was able to express my views in a way I would like others to have done so previously.  I have no time at all for the way that Labour have failed in this area and the damage that this has caused as a result.

A number of people spoke with me afterwards – some pleased and others disagreed with some of what I said.  I was keen to get across to one Heston resident that I would work flat out for the entire constituency.  Yes, I talk about Feltham North but everyone can expect what I am offering!

2) Stalls

I was out and about in Feltham and Hounslow West yesterday.  I am very optimistic about the response I am receiving. Lots of non-Conservatives are very receptive to my argument that having an MP who lives locally is a very good idea.  A handful asked me direct questions where my answer was not their preferred position but they were grateful for an honest answer.  Honesty first – even before popularity!

Back to the Campaign!

Final Leadership Debate

I missed the first quarter of an hour but, based on what I saw, I am not surprised that the pollsters gave David Cameron a second win.   I went into these debates with mixed views.  On the one hand I felt it would increase interest in the General Election (and it has) which is a good thing.  On the other hand, I was concerned about what a Presidential type debate may do at a grassroots level e.g. would there be less focus on who is the best person to represent a constituency?  Clearly, these debates are here to stay!

Just one week to go!

Baroness Warsi

Baroness Warsi came to help the campaign and meet some residents in Heston yesterday.  She was very well received and enjoyed her visit.  I very much hope that she will return in the future as I am big fan.

Well Done DC

I have just watched this.

I am hugely proud of, and impressed with, my Leader for the way he handled this.  I genuinely found everything he said moving, reassuring and sincere!

Hotting up in Feltham and Heston

There is no doubt in my mind that Labour are worried and that they are putting more resources into this seat than at anytime since I have lived here.  I met two very nice students from Kingston University canvassing in Becketts Close in my ward.  A lot of people are telling me that they have been canvassed over the phone so times are interesting.

We have three – maybe four – prominent Conservatives coming to the constituency this week.  More on that later.

Best thing of all about this interest is that if I am elected, I will be around all year round and not just at election time!