Forum Topic

Heathrow and the Keens

Ok first of all let me state that on this occasion at least ;-)I am not attempting to make any political capital out of my following question and I am sure somebody with far more intelligence then myself could provide the answer? My question is as follows, I believe it is still unclear if the final Heathrow decision will eventually be decided by a Parliamentary vote or delegated powers but could or would it not be possible now we have been assured that the Keens are both against expansion for them to table an Early Day Motion in Parliament? Even if the decision is made under delegated powers,by one of them publicising an Early Day Motion they would both be demonstrating their opposition and also it will add a vehicle for likeminded MP`s to show their support also as follows. "Early day motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few EDMs are actually debated. Instead, they are used for reasons such as publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.An MP can add their signature to an EDM to show their support. They can also submit amendments to an existing EDM. Although the majority of EDMs are never debated, the group of EDMs known as 'prayers' may be debated. Prayers are motions to overturn Statutory Instruments (laws made by Ministers under powers deriving from Acts of Parliament). Further information on EDM procedure can be found in the Commons Information Office Factsheet "Surely we should be exploring all avenues and perhaps this could be another weapon against the proposals?

Paul Fisher ● 6694d28 Comments

... although the cheers were perhaps not as loud as those greeting the participants wearing mainly body-paint and the ensuing conga around Departures.

Tim Henderson ● 6340d

It was good to see John McDonnell and Susan Kramer sporting their red T-shirts at the Heathrow Flashmob today. Understandably  John got rousing cheers from the assembled party.

Tim Henderson ● 6340d

IIRC her first recorded comment in the House was a whinge to Tony Blair about her party's problems in Hounslow.  To give credit where it is due, his response was fittingly dismissive.

Phil Andrews ● 6340d

I find it interesting that if you do a search for ann keen speaking the word heathrow on theyworkforyou.com you get absolutely no results.

Kath Richardson ● 6340d

So Alan Keen campaigned successfully, did he?Looking at John McDonnell, representing a constituency a few miles down the road, and the passion of his reaction to this appalling news, it is hard not to conclude that the people of this borough have drawn the short straw when it comes to parliamentary representation.  The sooner these two parasitic timeservers are handed their P45s by the residents of Hounslow the better.

Phil Andrews ● 6340d

I see from Hansard that Geoff Hoon paid tribute to Alan Keen in the exchanges after Wednesday's announcement (and after the John McDonnell mace incident):"Alan Keen (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): I have campaigned across party political lines, under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell). We all understand his passion. I say to the Secretary of State that it was with massive relief I heard him announce that he would not press ahead with mixed mode. That will affect not only my constituency, but Brentford and Isleworth, Richmond Park, Twickenham, Putney—Stephen Pound (Ealing, North) (Lab): Ealing, North.Alan Keen: I will add Ealing, North if my hon. Friend likes, but I am not so sure about that.The decision will also affect Battersea and places further east. I am most grateful to the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister, who listened carefully to our arguments. Even though the Cranford agreement is going, which I am sad about, that will at least benefit the constituents in Maidenhead, Windsor and places like that. We have to give and take on such issues.Mr. Hoon: I am grateful to my hon. Friend; he has campaigned vigorously on behalf of constituents, and has done so successfully, if I may say so. I looked carefully at the results of the consultation, and it is clear, as I mentioned in my statement, that people value the alternation of the existing two runways. The ending of the Cranford agreement will allow a more even distribution of noise. It will reduce the noise impact on large numbers of people. I am extremely grateful for his efforts, and for drawing those matters to my attention."

Tim Henderson ● 6340d

David Cameron says the Conservatives will kibosh this upon election, regardless of whether legislation has been passed.

Colin Murphy ● 6345d

Interestingly the Times seem to be trailing the possibility of further delay :"An announcement on the runway had been widely predicted for this week. But with the cabinet still at war over the issue, it is unlikely before the end of the month. The move to delay the announcement came after a meeting at the margins of the cabinet held in Liverpool on Thursday. Ed Miliband, the climate change secretary, and Hilary Benn, environment secretary, told Brown the environmental safeguards were “insufficiently robust”. "http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5489619.ece

Tim Henderson ● 6346d

Tuesday or Wednesday?

Andrew Dunn ● 6349d

I find the he various views represented here very interesting.No doubt everyone’s position will become clear as the Government will be coming up with a decision on not just a third runway, but the introduction of mixed mode very soon.  Could be as early as next week!

Andrew Dunn ● 6350d

I think it would be sad if Ann Keen's political demise was to come about merely as a consequence of the cyclical ebb and flow of a political party's fortunes on the national stage.Locally her party has suffered swingeing losses and has still convinced itself that this is the consequence of some outside force beyond its control rather than an expression of the public dissatisfaction with its attitude and way of doing business.It would be in everybody's interests, including the Labour Party's if its members and officers could only but see it, for Mrs. Keen's drubbing to be sufficiently emphatic that it could not be excused by reference to the economy or even to Heathrow, or dismissed with the "Forgive the electorate for they know not what they do" tosh spouted by Ellar after his second successive humiliation at the hands of the good people of Hanworth Park.

Phil Andrews ● 6353d

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439473.ece"Among those who would lose their seat are Ann Keen, the health minister and MP for Brentford and Isleworth."

Tim Henderson ● 6353d

In June 2003 demonstrators marched to Harmondsworth in opposition to the proposed third runway at Heathrow. Both the Keens were present. I don't recall seeing anyone from the present ruling coalition on Hounslow Council taking part.If the Keens opposition to Heathrow expansion is belated (as it is because they should have opposed Terminal 5) where does that put Hounslow's current town bosses?

John Connelly ● 6364d

Errr...because La K££n voted in the House of Commons against controls on night flights?  No matter, it is amatter of record that both K££ns have now come out in opposition to the continual expansion of Heathrow and their support for local people on this issue, albeit belated, is of course very much appreciated.

Phil Andrews ● 6364d

I hope no one is in any doubt about this, neither of our MP's has any problem opposing the expansion of Heathrow.I am surprised any one  is still trying to say either one is in favour.This has been a matter of public knowledge for a considerable time.Why should anybody attempt to say otherwise?

Corinna Smart ● 6364d

I think it is well known in local political circles that both our MP's are opposed to further expansion of Heathrow airport.For the record all three of the major Political Parties in local government, Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems have opposed further expansion for many years and actively and at times successfully campaigned to this effect. Hounslow is unique, probably in the whole of the UK in the impact that aircraft noise and other pollution impacts on the everyday life of local residents. It is for this reason there is absolute consensus that we would not wish to inflict further suffering on a whole new set of people that may find themselves under a new flightpath.

Colin Ellar ● 6366d

It'd be nice to see her responsibilities towards her constituents prevent her taking up ministerial position.

Kath Richardson ● 6369d

Almost a year after the original post from Paul, it is good to see Alan Keen signing another EDM :<<< EDM 339 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THIRD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW17.12.2008Salter, MartinThat this House notes the Government's commitment given in the 2003 Aviation White Paper, The Future of Air Transport to reduce noise impacts and to ensure that air quality and environmental standards are met before proceeding with a third runway at Heathrow Airport; further notes the assurance given by the Prime Minister on 12 November 2008 that support for a third runway at Heathrow is subject to strict environmental conditions; further notes that Heathrow Airport is already in breach of the European Air Quality Directive to be implemented by 2010; welcomes the statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that these environmental commitments should be honoured; supports the Chairman of the Environment Agency's decision to oppose the third runway on environmental grounds; and calls upon the Government not to proceed with the third Heathrow runway or mixed-mode and to put the matter to a vote on the floor of the House.>>>Of course, Ann's ministerial responsibilities prevent her from signing.

Tim Henderson ● 6370d

Why are we bothering with going to such an ineffectual meeting, all we would be doing is to provide an audience to politicians who can do nothing for us. Save your energy for the next phase when the government have agreed to the expansion. This will then involve exposing and challenging the decisions at a legal, political and environmental level.

Duncan Walker ● 6690d

PaulBack page of the Informer Paul.  The wording doesn't make it clear however whether Le and La Presence will actually be in attendance.Personally I think it's sad if not a little pathetic that the MPs could not bring themselves to support the cross-party campaign led by the London Borough of Hounslow rather than branching off on their own (cue untruthful response about the MPs being "barred from the Civic Centre").  However as Mao Tse-Tung once put it, let a thousand flowers bloom.  If this is to be a public event lending weight to the anti-expansion campaign then it deserves our support and I dare say my ICG colleagues and I will be there in numbers to support it.

Phil Andrews ● 6690d

Where these delivered door to door Jim or are they special invitations?I would certainly attend if it is open to the general public but I cannot see how the Paul Robeson Theatre could hold that many who planned to go.

Paul Fisher ● 6690d

Jim Lawes ● 6690d

TimThank you for that. Alan Keen has been a long standing proponent of Heathrow Expansion but now as he nears retirement and has no chance of ever becoming a minister, he appears to have changed his mind. I welcome the prodigal son.Ann Keen, on the other hand, is a Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Health, and as such cannot speak or vote against the Government's proposals (even if she wanted to ) without losing her job.

David Giles ● 6694d

Unfortunately, one of the privileges of being a government minister is that one does not join in the game of playing Early Day Motions.-----------------------------------------------------------Extract from Early Day Motions House of Commons Information Office Factsheet P3(http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/p03.pdf )MinistersMinisters and whips do not normally sign EDMs. Under the Ministerial Code, Parliamentary Private Secretaries “must not associate themselves with particular groups advocating special policies”, and they do not normally sign EDMs. Neither the Speaker nor Deputy Speakers will sign EDMs. Internal party rules may also affect who can sign early day motions.The standing orders of the Parliamentary Labour Party require Labour Members to consult the Chief Whip before tabling an EDM and to delay the tabling of an EDM for one sitting day at the Chief Whip’s request.-------------------------------------------------I suppose we could ask Ann not to behave normally for a Minister but as people seem to say these days, "that is a big ask."As far as Alan is concerned, I was pleased to read this exchange from  the Heathrow expansion debate on 12th December 2007:John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington, Labour) My hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Alan Keen), with whom I have worked over the years, is a good example of this change of heart. A number of us accepted terminal 4; others, including airport workers, accepted terminal 5, but enough is enough—that is the expression now coming from many airport workers.Alan Keen (Feltham & Heston, Labour) My hon. Friend knows very well that I was one of the strongest supporters of Heathrow airport and the air transport industry. I supported expansion within the current boundaries, including for terminal 5. Like him, I have decided that enough is enough. Take that as a strong indication that the time has come to draw a line under the expansion of Heathrow airport.John McDonnell (Hayes & Harlington, Labour) I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his support, which has been principled and honest throughout the debates on different levels of expansion.

Tim Henderson ● 6694d

Ann Keens website also tells us we will be able to make our views made to her on-line as well as by post in the New Year but we are rapidly running out of time to do so.

Paul Fisher ● 6694d

http://www.annkeenmp.co.uk/?PageId=585c79e6-1c30-c7c4-a174-56948d0940cdMrs Keen's website suggests that she might be contacting  some of you by post... for your views.

Jim Lawes ● 6694d

Well I sincerely hope its the third option Jim coupled with the general opinion of Hounslows residents some of whom at least voted for them.Please can someone clarify if they are 100% against the proposals as I seem to notice get out clauses?

Paul Fisher ● 6694d

Would Mr and Mrs Keen vote according to :* the majority opinion of the Local Labour Party, or,* the instructions from Heathrow Trade Unions with whom they may be associated, or,* the overwhelming thoughts of those who write to them, or,* the views of the Local Council,or,* as they see fit?

Jim Lawes ● 6694d