Forum Topic

Phil Andrews looking very dapper!

A very smart looking Phil Andrews on his Election Website lately,have the BBC makeover team been in Isleworth recently? ;-)http://www.webspawner.com/users/communitygroup/index.html

Paul Fisher ● 7341d19 Comments

Vanessa could have taken advantage of such an opportunity to discuss the contents of her letter with Mrs. Keen in person...had she been invited!!

Phil Andrews ● 7328d

"It is perfectly true that a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament was violently assaulted by a constituent with a sword a few years ago, but it has not stopped the majority of M.P.'s from holding regular surgeries.  Indeed, I believe that the MP that was assaulted was brave enough to resume his surgeries shortly after leaving hospital. Ironically, in that dreadful assault a local Liberal Democrat County Councillor was killed, but that has not stopped me, as a London Borough Councillor, from holding weekly surgeries.  There is always the remote possibility that a lone nutter will attack you, but if one worried about that there would be little point in entering public life in the first place."I think this is a very pertinent point.  Members of Parliament are frequently responsible for despatching young men and women from our armed services to far-flung corners of the world where they will face danger and possibly death in the pursuance of their wars.  Yet as soon as an isolated, if ghastly incident of this kind occurs it is gratefully seized upon as an excuse to withdraw even further from any contact with the public which people such as Mrs. Keen were elected to serve.To put it another way, it is fine for scores of young service personnel to give their lives rather than allow a madman such as Saddam to prevail, but madmen weilding samurai swords will prevail rather than allow a hair on the precious heads of our elected representatives to be placed in jeopardy.  What ever happened to leadership?  With my political history (coupled with the best efforts of some to suggest that my political present is no different) I stand a lot more chance of being attacked than Ann Keen (whom many constituents probably wouldn't even recognise).  And yet, like Councillor Lee, I hold regular, well-publicised ward surgeries, quite simply because I consider it my duty as an elected ward representative to do so.I don't buy into the protest that Ann Keen has become virtually incommunicado out of fear for her own safety.  What will they be telling us next - that Councillor Patrick Edwards rarely attends meetings because he fears he will be assassinated?Those who lack the courage to undertake their public duties should do the decent thing and resign from office, whichever party they happen to represent.

Phil Andrews ● 7328d

Cllr Adrian:Thank you for your posting. It sounds as if you have been doing some research on this matter..and goodo too. Did someone not suggest recently on the Forum that Mrs Keen holds regular Surgeries at places like the Health centre in Chiswick...and at the Sikh Temple in Hounslow? If one phoned those places and checked ..perhaps one would be being a bit nosey!!I've stumbled across the following message on the Chiswick Forum from " YEARS AGO!  Posted by: Phil Andrews Date/Time: 28/02/03 18:30:00 it suggests that the elusiveness of Mrs Keen ..goes back some time.  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"""On the subject of Ann Keen's surgeries and Ivybridge, here is the text a letter written by ex-councillors Pat Nicholas and Vanessa Smith to Mrs. Keen on 11th February 2002:"Dear Anne (sic)"Both of us have been extremely disappointed at the great deal of trouble one of our residents has been put to when trying to make an appointment to see you."Having 'phoned your appointment number people then get a message telling them to 'put their request in writing'.  There seems little point in a 'phone number/ansaphone for surgery appointments if constituents are to be asked to write, you may well just as well ask them to do that in the first place!"Even after all that our resident, Mrs. ********, following correspondence, 'phone calls and even a call to Anita (Ann Keen's Secretary - Ed.) from her local Councillor, STILL hasn't managed to get her appointment."The final straw came today when she was told by someone from Ivybridge that you are supposed to be holding a surgery on the estate on Friday March 15.  We could not confirm this as no-one had contacted us, even as a matter of common courtesy, bearing in mind this is our ward."We are very near the local elections in May and had hoped for some support from our Labour M.P. as was afforded to you in the General Election of last year.  We do regular surgeries in the ward, in the face of vitriolic opposition, to represent the Labour Party (not to help your constituents? - Ed.).  Is it too much to ask for our own M.P. to be available to meet constituents within a reasonable time of a request with as little fuss as possible?" xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxShe did come to Brentford recently for a fund-raising evening with John Prescott and others...at the Indian Restaurant on Brentford Riverside...so she knows where we all are!!

Jim Lawes ● 7328d

With an election on the horizon it is natural for all the parties to start sounding the war drums, but I think it is only fair to clear up this matter of Ann Keen's Advice Surgeries for once and for all.Luke and Alan Sherrins are loyal members of the Labour Party, whilst others on this thread are involved in both the Liberal Democrats and the ICG.  For the record, I am a Conservative Councillor.  We all have the perfect right to express our opinions and cheer for our respective team.  Thank goodness we don't live in a society like Zimbabwe. Sadly, in most election campaigns truth tends to be the first casualty of the conflict.  So let us put the record straight over our MP's Surgery arrangements: Ann Keen does not hold regular, timetabled Advice Surgeries in her Brentford and Isleworth constituency.  As I understand, if a constituent contacts her she will arrange a date and time of mutual convenience to hold a private meeting between the two parties.  There is nothing particularly wrong with this approach, but this practice cannot be described as holding regular advice surgeries.  It is perfectly true that a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament was violently assaulted by a constituent with a sword a few years ago, but it has not stopped the majority of M.P.'s from holding regular surgeries.  Indeed, I believe that the MP that was assaulted was brave enough to resume his surgeries shortly after leaving hospital. Ironically, in that dreadful assault a local Liberal Democrat County Councillor was killed, but that has not stopped me, as a London Borough Councillor, from holding weekly surgeries.  There is always the remote possibility that a lone nutter will attack you, but if one worried about that there would be little point in entering public life in the first place.  By the way, I noticed recently that a number of local Labour Councillors in the Borough have now abandoned surgeries all together, and are now asking people to "ring for an appointment".  This does start to look all rather self-important and high-and mighty, doesn't it?Personally, I support the concept of regular, timetabled, walk-in advice surgeries and would not hesitate to criticise any members of my political party who refused to hold them.  Constituents have a right to see their representative working on their behalf.  Whatever your ideology, community politics is the way of the future and arrogant detachment is increasingly a thing of the past.

Cllr. Adrian Lee ● 7328d

So much for Ann Keen’s claims through her website.  It appears that Ann Keen isn’t even clear herself as to the extent of policing within her own constituency. On her website Ann Keen states: Brentford & Isleworth is within the Metropolitan police force area. Since spring 2001 there are 1,990 more police officers fighting crime in this force. That means a total of 26,868 police officers tackling crime and anti-social behaviour locally.Ann Keen points out that there 26,868 police officers working within the Metropolitan Police force. There are in fact, according to the Metropolitan Police force website, 30,235 officers working within the force as of 29th March 2005. As the Metropolitan Police force covers an area of some 620 square miles and protects a population of 7.2million even Ann Keen can’t claim that an area of 620 square miles constitutes anything resembling ‘locally’. The London borough of Hounslow, only half of which she represents,  covers approximately 23 square miles. Surely that’s the local area to which Mrs Keen should be most interested in.

Gareth Evans ● 7334d

"I assume Phil has also commited to this?"Absolutely. 

Phil Andrews ● 7335d

PaulI agree entirely.  Phil must have grown as tired as I am by now of the stories of letters to which Ann Keen's office couldn't organise a response (an experience I share) and surgeries never organised.  It is a disgrace.As I said today on ChiswickW4, having grown up in the constituency, and spent the past two years of my professional life working at GSK, I find it a very sad state of affairs when the constituency is best known politically for ‘Mr & Mrs Expenses’.  The behaviour of the incumbent MP shows zero understanding of how disillusioned people have already become with the political process and I have commented on this in the local press and at many local meetings (see also www.andrewdakers.com).  MPs Expenses will clearly be a key issue for people when deciding who to cast their vote for at the forthcoming general election.  Both Northcote and I have committed to not taking a housing allowance, a nonsense when the constituency is so close to Westminster.  I assume Phil has also commited to this?  I have gone further though and committed to running regular Community Forums where members of the public, local businesses, media etc could raise issues and hold me accountable for my performance.  I have also established a minimum response time for letters, phone calls etc and committed to running regular surgeries. (See the last issue of BCHI TODAY: http://www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-419b2257da4f73.33615841/andrew/Today2and3.pdf)  I did like Phil's idea of having a 24hr hotline, which would also open up the process and increase accessibility.  We have plenty of jokes on my campaign team about who would pull the short straw on shifts when establishing the office though!If any of you run community organisations can I strongly encourage you to start organising hustings meetings now, so we can finally hold Ann Keen to account for her actions (and inaction!).Andrew DakersLiberal Democrat Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth

Andrew Dakers ● 7335d

"...though am uncomfortable about the comparison between Mr Andrews and the Labour Party"Well that's something we agree on at least, Luke!As it happens not only did I wear a suit for my election photo in 1983, but it was a much better fit.  Then again, as I was 21 years old at the time this is perhaps unsurprising.I am reassured by the fact that you have to go back 22 years in time to find something that I have done for which I can be criticised.  If only we were able to say the same for Ann Keen, the MP who claims expenses for a second home to be nearer to work when her first home is nine miles from Westminster, who refuses to answer questions about her misuse of other people's money and who by holding surgeries "by appointment only" is able to avoid meetings with people whom she feels might have awkward questions to ask.

Phil Andrews ● 7335d

"Perhaps you could explain why Mr and Mrs Keen feel the need to fleece us of £35,000 a year instead of getting a few cabs home after a late sitting at the Commons?"Or perhaps not, as the case may be?It appears to me that Luke Smith, the man who accuses me of having no policies (and at the same time of being a fascist?!?!) is little more than a hack with a "my party right or wrong" philosophy.A party which lies to the people in order to take us into an illegal war leading to the slaughter of over 100,000 innocent people forfeits the right to moralise about anything.

Phil Andrews ● 7335d

It amazes me that people like Luke Smith and Alan Sheerins still try and convince us all that they know lots of people who have had theirs lives enhanced etc because Ann Keen is the all caring always available MP we are so lucky to have.Mrs Keen does not hold surgeries unless you try to make an appointment with her staff and that is a fact.As her staff pick and choose if Ann Keen can be bothered to meet us if we insist then if they believe there could be a possibility of bad publicity they just ignore e-mails faxes and letters and hope we go away.I am sure someone on this board must have heard of someone attending one of her "regular surgeries" but i have yet to find one.Luke Smith states that the poor dear needs protection blah blah blah and that is why they are never advertised!! but it seems there are a hell of a lot of other MP`s who have no problem meeting the people they represent?The expenses fiasco has still never been explained from anyone in the Labour Party either.If the question was too difficult for them i will ask it again in simpler terms.Could Mr And Mrs Keen save us the taxpayers 35,000 pounds a year if they took a black cab home nine miles to Brentford on the rare occasion there is a late sitting at the Commons or do they enjoy the perk of fleecing us all?

Paul Fisher ● 7336d

Luke An interesting point that many feel that Ann Keen is not working, not listening, and not responding. In which case why doesn’t Ann Keen seize the point and prove to everyone, be they her supporters or her detractors, that she is working, is listening, and is responding to the needs of her constituents? With the general election a matter of weeks away, what better PR could she want than to prove that she is worthy of our votes?

Gareth Evans ● 7338d

"I think you should reflect on the difference between receiving an answer that you do not like, and not receiving an answer at all. There is a big difference."A reply of any kind would be a start Luke? Perhaps you could explain why Mr and Mrs Keen feel the need to fleece us of £35,000 a year instead of getting a few cabs home after a late sitting at the Commons?

Paul Fisher ● 7338d

Luke Perhaps we should go beyond what people wear and look more at what people represent. I’m pleased that you have raised the issue because personally I’ve often wondered how the likes of Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and several others made it to the House of Commons seeing that Sinn Fein, the party they represent, was responsible for the extermination of so many of their political opponents. I’m all for individuals redeeming themselves and I’m not for a moment comparing Sinn Féin to the ICG but I can’t recall ever hearing that the ICG have ever been responsible for the murder of political opponents.

Gareth Evans ● 7340d

Jim,Thanks for your welcome, though not sure what you mean by ‘wonky’!?The Phil Andrews versus Michael Foot fashion contest is an amusing thought though I’m not sure there’s much mileage in it… As for embarrassingly recalling Foot at the cenotaph – I had just had my first birthday at the time, so I think my attention may have been elsewhere.I understand your point generally equating rebirth with u-turns, though am uncomfortable about the comparison between Mr Andrews and the Labour Party. Comparing the Labour Party (which has always had at its core the belief that the job of Government is to help out those that need help the most) with Phil Andrews (who has in my view gone from neo-Nazi agitator to policy-less political impersonator) is inappropriate.I think it’s fair to point out that Labour has, in my view, successfully promoted economic stability, the encouragement of entrepreneurialism and enterprise alongside a quietly redistributive political system that rewards the hardworking poor and the needy ahead of others in society. I don’t see this as a rejection of Labour roots and principles; I think it is in fact a way to successfully achieve them.

Luke Smith ● 7340d

"I wonder if he wore a suit in 1983 when he stood as the National Front candidate?"Luke: Very good to hear from you again on this Forum...active as it is within Mrs Keen's Constituency. It makes a change to hear from a "Parliamentarian" who can explain things...quite clearly...even if a little wonky.Regarding your question about whether Cllr Phil wore a suit in those days..the good news is that he doesn't generally duck questions...even on that subject. He sends replies to this and other Forums when he is free. Well...from what we observe anyway.  So, you should have an answer sometime!Maybe if he did wear a suit in those times...he might have been trying to upstage Mr Michael Foot, the Labour Party "leader" who turned up on Rememberance Day...you may perhaps embarassingly recall...wearing a duffle coat! Maybe Phil became enlightened at some stage...and then changed his cloak and his views. He performed a "u" turn you might say.But whatever the size of his "U" turn...nothing compares with the about turn of the Labour Party in the last 10-20-30-40 years...from being as unco-operative as anything..to do with industrial progress and flexibility, productivity, better education,better NHS,better technology,better everything.These days the Labour Party is trying to promote these things! Oh, how policies have changed.We hear that Mr Blair has on occasions taken advice from Mrs Thatcher...and goodo too. So, being reborn,being re-enlightened, doing U turns, is no bad thing...and you will be aware that the Labour Party has moved greatly to the right. Why did you let them do that...its a betrayal of your Party roots!Changed since 1983? The Labour Party certainly has...and thank goodness for that!!

Jim Lawes ● 7340d

Phil Andrews did not lead our country into an illegal war so therefore people should be more inclined to vote for him (and other anti-war candidates) than the incumbent and her war criminal party leader.In many eyes, your leader is the nazi Luke.

Paul Davis ● 7340d

Paul,You are simply wrong to say that Ann Keen “refuses to hold surgeries”. She does, like many MPs, hold surgeries by appointment. I think you’ll be aware of the case of Nigel Jones MP, who was attacked at his surgery by a man with a sword – his assistant (a local Councillor) was stabbed to death. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to take this kind of thing into account and to conduct surgery meetings in a way that ensures the safety of all people involved – the MP, the assistants, and the general public.As for your point about responding to constituents: I have been speaking to many people around the constituency recently, and I have heard a great deal from people who are pleased that Ann has worked so hard achieving important advances for them and their families. Things like a new hospital, increased funding for the PCT, free local bus journeys for pensioners, an increased minimum wage, the child trust funds, and tax credits that help those that need assistance the most.It is frustrating that even when an MP helps hundreds and hundreds of people with individual or personal problems, it is the small number of people who receive responses that they do not agree with that make the most noise, and put forward a wholly inaccurate picture of an MP as not working, not listening, and not responding. I think you should reflect on the difference between receiving an answer that you do not like, and not receiving an answer at all. There is a big difference.As you felt the need to alert us all to the fact that your great leader has, shock, horror, managed to wear a suit I can’t see the problem with my query. We are led to believe that this man has undergone a rebirth – no longer a neo-Nazi, but a soft and cuddly man of the people. Terrific! Well done for rejoining the rest of civilised society! The suit may have replaced the swastika, but I think Phil forgot to replace his old policies with new ones. I mean, at least when he believed in fascism, hatred and violence he stood on a platform with policies – as sickening and despicable as they were.

Luke Smith ● 7340d

Oh no,Luke has discovered the secret that the ICG have been trying to hide all these years!!Perhaps you should concentrate on why our local MP will not return calls,e-mails and faxes to her constituents and unlike other MP`s refuses to hold surgeries?A man in your position in the Labour Party should have no problem doing that should he???

Paul Fisher ● 7340d

I wonder if he wore a suit in 1983 when he stood as the National Front candidate?

Luke Smith ● 7340d

Good grief...what a smart presentation!!Mrs Ann Keen MP will be distraught when she sees that picture of Cllr Phil...as she probably thought that she was way ahead in the Constituency Fashion STAKES...but no longer!So, what other STAKES will she now be concerned about?* "Clarity of Writing Stakes"?  Phil seems way ahead in that field.* "Liaison with the Constituency Stakes"?. Mrs Keen would appear to be limping in that race and is struggling to show face. Cllr Andrews pops up everywhere..* "Covent Garden Stakes"  Mrs Keen would appear to have been disqualified in this glamourous CHASE...because of deemed excessive expenses claims. So that was a walk over to Cllr Andrews!* "Subject to Lots of Admiration Stakes"  Well even local Conservative Councillors on the W4 Forum compliment Cllr Andrews on his endeavours. whilst local Labour Party members..no names.. say what they say about our current MP. Another Andrews win?* "H Brown Stakes" Mrs Keen MP wants nothing to do with it.  So..a walkover.* "Don't let the Buggers get you Down Stakes". Mrs Keen would appear to be handicapped by wearing blinkers. Cllr Andrews faces any hostility by giving seemingly clear and digestible explanations.* "Lots of Dosh to back up my Campaign Stakes" Mrs Keen well well ahead in this race...with a possibility of funds available... on called... from sponsoring Trades Unions, Westminster expenses, local property magnets. Cllr Andrews probably struggling with little funds available to finance his campaign.. to enlighten and inform the electorate of his Community Party endeavours.* I would like to thank the Webmaster of this website...the very likeable Matt..for allowing me to mock his MP in this way. I have great admiration for many local Labour Councillors..but have difficulty in accepting our Westminster representative's style of engagement.

Jim Lawes ● 7341d

Wasn't this an impersonation of him by H Brown?

John Connelly ● 7341d