Forum Topic

Are they at it again?

Residents of Brentford, Isleworth, Hounslow, Osterley, Gunnersbury and Chiswick this morning received a glossy publication entitled "Ann Keen MP - Parliamentary Report 2006, Edition 1".The brochure included sundry photos of our Ann posing in various situations and informed us of her commitment to local schools, fair trade, Hounslow Homes, earthquake relief and so on.  However for those who managed to spot it the most interesting feature of the leaflet will have been the words contained at the bottom - in the (very) small print - "Paid for through the Incidental Expenses Provision".I was wondering whether any of our New Labour friends could kindly elaborate for us all as to what exactly the "Incidental Expenses Provision" is, as well as explaining the following:1. Why is Ms. Keen seemingly of the opinion that we only require a Parliamentary Update in the run-up to an election (the last one was published shortly before the 2005 General Election)?2. Would I be right in predicting that Update No.2 will be arriving on our doorsteps around the last week in March, and that Update No.3 will be a long time hence?3. Did the "Incidental Expenses Provision" pick up the tab for both the postage of this leaflet (estimated cost £9,000) and its production?4. Would it be unreasonable of me to suggest that this is yet another example of New Labour laughing in the face of the taxpayer by getting the public to pay for the dissemination of what is clearly uts election propaganda, and if so why?

Phil Andrews ● 7064d34 Comments

This is link should help you all.http://www.parliament.uk/faq/members_faq_page2.cfm

Neil Chippendale ● 7060d

You have repeated yourself I already said that and I ain't convinced and as Chairman of the Labour party I thought you would no these sort of Issues but its Clear you don't want to reply as always...

Simon Anderson ● 7062d

SimonAs I have suggested to you, please contact the parliamentary authorities and find out about Parliamentary newsletters from MP's - and how they are funded. I am sure that they will put your mind at rest on this issue. All MPs receive the same basic salary, I do not know if there is an extra allowance for PPS’s. Ministers and others get additional money. The information on how much they are paid will be available from Parliament. MP's expenses are published on an annual basis, and reported in the National and sometimes local press.

Alan Sheerins ● 7062d

"We have an election nearly every year. Locals every 4 years, Generals every 4 to 5 years, GLA/Euro/London Mayor very four years and we mormally have at least one Council by election every year." Alan I,m painfully aware of all these facts, but my greatest interest lies in the fact I have a greater interest in local politics.  I'm simply more interested in what is happening on the ground in and around my local vicinity which is Isleworth at the moment, although I can't help from reading on the various fora the way IMO we are being taken for a ride by the excesses of our M.P Mrs keen. "We are always near to an election. The leaflet was not about the local elections and is being sent out more then 3 months before that election will take place." Regardless of how or why, or even what the leaflet contains, once again in my opinion is completely irrelevant. It's actually who is paying  for it that is the bone of contention in most peoples mind. Perhaps if you were to publish on the forum Mrs Keens salary as an M.P. and how much extra she picks up being the Chancellors PPS and then add to it her expenses which I believe in-bodies a stamp allowance things would be much clearer to the ladies and gentlemen on the forum?

Simon Anderson ● 7062d

"It is not a compaign lealfet and not a Labour party publication. It is a Parliamentary report from our elected MP"I need a cup of tea.

Sarah Felstead ● 7062d

SimonIt is not a compaign lealfet and not a Labour party publication. It is a Parliamentary report from our elected MP

Alan Sheerins ● 7062d

Any time Sarah.

Neil Chippendale ● 7062d

Now Now Sarah stop being Dirty...lol

Simon Anderson ● 7062d

AlanI am reassured by your posting.  It is around one year since her last report.  Can we expect another one in about a year's time?  After all, it would be terribly wasteful to send another out in March when there couldn't be that much new to report in two months...wouldn't it?

Phil Andrews ● 7062d

SimonWe have an election nearly every year. Locals every 4 years, Generals every 4 to 5 years, GLA/Euro/London Mayor very four years and we mormally have at least one Council by election every year. We are always near to an election. The leaflet was not about the local elections and is being sent out more then 3 months before that election will take place.

Alan Sheerins ● 7062d

Hey!  ... mind if I google earth you Neil?

Sarah Felstead ● 7062d

Like I said, it's the timing.  If the purpose of the newsletters is simply to inform then of course they should be allowable against expenses.  But if their purpose is to enhance the prospects of New Labour candidates at the forthcoming local elections then in my opinion to use public money is an abuse, even if does happen to be legal.Fact - Ann Keen's "Parliamentary Reports" are only sent out in the run-up to elections.  Therefore, is their distribution at the public's expense a reasonable use of public funds or an abuse of public funds?  This is the one and only issue here, and if my first posting did not make that sufficiently clear then I apologise for my lack of communication skills.

Phil Andrews ● 7062d

NeilThe Point is she used public money to send them out!!And Nr a Election aswell!!

Simon Anderson ● 7062d

I know.  But I didn't at 18:14.  But let us be honest, answering questions is not one of your strong points, is it?

Phil Andrews ● 7062d

Can you vote at the council elections?

Phil Andrews ● 7062d

I'm not a fan of Ann Keen, I'm a registered overseas voter, but i see nothing wrong in her posting out the report. If she has the budget for it and it is excepeted practice then its fine by me.How about sending one to me. 52 Waratah St East Gosford NSW 2250 Australia.

Neil Chippendale ● 7062d

PhilI responded to them both by direct email, before you made your 18:14 pm posting.

Alan Sheerins ● 7062d

I thought it might be reasonable to assume that dropping into her surgery for a little friendly chat would fill the bill, but I'm sure your aware that Mrs.Keen runs avery strict agenda where one has to apply for an appointment and to state the reason for their visit. that is if anyone can tell when her surgery is open. Even you must be aware that she doesn't advertise when her surgery is available to the electorate. As far as how it should be paid for I think that would be painfully obvious,out of her extortionate expense account is the first thing that springs to mind.?

Simon Anderson ● 7062d

SimonWhen we get New Labour out of power in this borough and Hounslow Homes finds itself having to put service delivery before playing politics we will be able to resolve these issues without too much fuss.

Phil Andrews ● 7063d

By using there own Stamps or using there own Campaign team to deliver them like they have been delivering there Campaign leaflets it would safe money which could be spent in other areas like Sorting out the park on Ivybridge which needs to be fenced off to stop Dogs going into it like you promised several months ago that you would try and sort out.At our last meeting you talked the talk but didn't walk the walk and deliver.

Simon Anderson ● 7063d

AlanIna has asked you whether you will sign her petition, and ask our MP to sign.  Simon has asked you about a meeting which you proposed to have with him and have since apparently avoided.You have ignored both requests but have responded to both with further questions of your own.  Why do you seem to think that others must answer your questions whilst you can ignore theirs?  Do you consider yourself to be some kind of superior being?

Phil Andrews ● 7063d

SimonI dont understand, the report is no good if it not made available, to the electorate. How is any MP able to do this without using the post.

Alan Sheerins ● 7063d

Wasnt Talking about the Report..I was discussing using Public money to send them to People!1Also why havent you been in contact about a 2nd meeting to discuss the Issue about getting NITA,IVYTAG and Hounslow Homes working together?? Its been months now.

Simon Anderson ● 7063d

Simon Most MPs do Parliamentary reports like this. If you are concerned perhaps you could contact the parliamentary authorities to find out how these reports are normally funded. How do you think MPs should communicate with their constituents? and how do you think it should be paid for?

Alan Sheerins ● 7063d

Alan (Watcher)Can you explain then why she is using Public Money to send out her Leaflet??Ina-She offered me support in 205 with my Parachute Jump for Ill Children then ignored me..

Simon Anderson ● 7063d

Please could you ask her to sign my petition then, you as well please (",)thanks.xxx

Ina Chureetur ● 7063d

Your original post was therefore very misleading, creating the impression that Ann Keen had done something that may be illegal or have misused taxpayers money. People will find it increasingly difficult to take what you say at face value if you keep pulling stunts like that.As for the timing you say "Then, a couple of months before the general election, we received one of these reports.  Then nothing for several more months." As parliament went into Summer recess after the election this seems a more likely explanation of the lack of a report.I would not disagree with any general objection to tax payers' money being spent on 'information' such as this leaflet, HM Magazine or the Londoner but the specific allegations you make seem to me to be groundless.

Dan Evans ● 7063d

I agree with Rachel. In the run up to the 2005 General Election Phil and others criticised Ann Keen for what they saw as a lack on communication. Now we see that the same people are criticising her for informing the residents of the Constituency about her work. I would like to thank and congratulate Ann on her good work. I look forward to seeing more news from her.

Alan Sheerins ● 7063d

My issue is not with the fact that she has issued this information, but with the timing of it.We had nothing for years from Ann Keen in terms of community information.  Then, a couple of months before the general election, we received one of these reports.  Then nothing for several more months.  Now we receive "Parliamentary Report No.1" as we approach the locals, with the implication of an impending No.2 (I have predicted that this will arrive in late March, just before the election period formally begins and rules about election expenses kick into place - let's see whether or not I'm right about this).I have not the slightest shred of doubt that what Ann Keen has done is legal, indeed there is no mention of the election in her report nor even of the Labour Party.  But I believe it to be cynical, and indicative of New Labour's attitude and of its willingness to employ public funds in the service of its own electoral ambitions.To put it bluntly New Labour these days appears to me to take the view that the community exists to serve it, rather than the other way around.

Phil Andrews ● 7063d

So you dont mind that she is using Tax Payers money to send her Leaflet to people instead of taking it out of her Budget?

Simon Anderson ● 7063d

Surely Ann Keen has the right, not to mention the duty, as our elected MP to let us know what she has been doing.  As her constituents, we would complain if we were not kept up to date with the work she was doing.  I welcome the newsletter and the chance for all residents to know the causes that their MP has been endorsing.  I consider that to be part of living in a democracy.

Rachel Martin ● 7063d

Nice to see you back Dan.

Phil Andrews ● 7064d

Searching on the web the Parliament web site details what is covered by Incidental Expenses Provision. One of the categories is 'communication'. Now whether this covers just phone calls/faxes etc. or can be extended to propaganda/fact sheets like the one you describe I don't know. Why not contact the relevant department at parliament and ask for clarification? If it is not a legitimate use of these funds we would be very interested to know. Your complaints about Ann Keen would be more effective if you did this bit of basic research.As for the timing I find it hard to get worked up about this - counting European, London Assembly, local and general elections there aren't going to be many years when an election isn't happening. We are now in January this is hardly 'the run up' to an election which, correct me if I'm wrong, takes place in May.I think you'll find that hardly anyone apart from the political obsessives are going to get worked up about this unless you can show the leaflet was a misuse of the allowable expenses.

Dan Evans ● 7064d

Perhaps Chris Boucher or Sue Sampson or even Tony Mckendry could privide us with some answers.

Andrew Sibley ● 7064d