Forum Topic

Ann Keen and Brentford FC

As a football fan I've just been today that Ann Keen could not even be arsed to turn up for the celebatrations to mark Brentford's promotion. Can it really be true that our MP ignores a red letter day in Brentford's history? If indeed this is true, what is this woman for?

Stuart Parrott ● 6194d15 Comments

Those who say they haven't seen Ann Keen recently clearly don't watch the BBC Parliament channel assiduously. Clearly they would rather see her at a football match - which for all I know may bore her rigid - than in the House or visiting hospitals etc around the country.Just as a matter of interest is Alan Keen a season ticket holder at Brentford? And if he is will Mr Fisher withdraw his freeby allegation? Curious that the moment Robin Taylor mentioned Phil Andrews, out popped the glove puppet.For the record, since I expect this post to immediately be followed by an accusation that I am part of the Ann Keen fan club, I remain of the opinion that her CLP should select someone else to carry the flag at the next election against the tax exile Lord Ashcroft-funded Tory candidate.

Dan Filson ● 6192d

Tim.I believe that Ann was, indeed, on ministerial duties (in the north of England) when the vote on the ACA was taken. I think I'm right in saying that she would have voted for abolition - just as Alan did. She certainly voted for wholesale reform of the rest of the expenses system.Stuart.The swimming pool and other luxuries that you mention are not part of the Keens' own central London flat. My understanding is that these facilities are in the same BLOCK as their apartment but are only available on a communal basis. You may think that that is still not acceptable but I'm sure you'll agree that it's only fair for me to give that clarification. Incidentally, on a previous posting I believe that you compared Ann's ACA claims unfavourably with those made by Diane Abbott. I could be wrong here, but isn't Diane's constituency of Hackney North & Stoke Newington classified as an inner London seat? This would mean she does not qualify for the ACA. I'll try and check that and get back to you.

Robin Taylor ● 6193d

I did wonder if constituents may like to encourage Ann by giving a penny and a  pennyworth of comments to Ann's page athttp://www.justgiving.com/annkeenbut it appears that the minimum donation is £2.It's all in a good cause - and if you are fast you can have your name next to Alan Johnson's £50.

Tim Henderson ● 6193d

Here is the latest piece of self-serving tripe by our Keen-On-Yer-Dosh MPs (From the latest Hounslow Chronicle)"Mr Keen has said the couple need the flat in central London as they work long hours during the week. But now they are not returning to their 'main home' at weekends, taxpayers are subsidising them to live full time in their Waterloo apartment block – which boasts its own swimming pool, hot tub, gym complex and 24-hour concierge.Mr Keen told the Chronicle that they had not broken any rules as the arrangement had been agreed by the House of Commons fees office.“These are pretty exceptional circumstances which have been reported to the Commons authorities,” he added. "The House of Commons authorities and the fees office are extremely strict with the rules and the public can have their minds set at that.”Alan Keen is again treating his constituents like cretins with his fatuous claim that the House of Commons' fees office is "extremely strict with the rules." As he and Ann luxuriate in their West End hot tub, does it cross what passes for his mind that we've all woken up to the scandal that the House of Commons' fees office is n-o-t strict with its rules. Hence duck ponds, moats, Maltesers, etc, etc. Stop treating your voters with arrogant disdain, Alan. As for Ann Keen, has she fallen into the Bermuda Triangle? A black hole? Where is she? Does she exist?

Stuart Parrott ● 6193d

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-news/local-hounslow-news/2009/06/12/keens-brentford-home-goes-to-rack-and-ruin-109642-23865969/

Tim Henderson ● 6193d

I would think that Stuart is suggesting that the MP's should be paid the full MP (or ministerial) salary - but maintaining a central London residence (?and not maintaining a constituency one) at an additional allowance is not an expense that is "necessarily incurred".Harriet Harman said in the debate :As I have said, whatever the Kelly report recommends on the additional costs allowance, we should decide now that the distinction between inner and outer-London Members is no longer sustainable. The House will have a chance to vote on that, and, in that case, I think it only fair that our outer-London colleagues know that they will be put on the same footing as us in inner London, so that they have time—until April next year—to make changes to their arrangements if they need to. So, we should get on and make that decision.The House made that decision [ with Alan Keen voting for it - Ann Keen did not appear to vote (? ministerial duties / deliberate abstention / ? dental appointment)quote from The Public Whip :http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2009-04-30&number=105&showall=yes#votersMPs' expenses — outer-London MPs can no longer claim second home — 30 Apr 2009 at 17:00 The majority of MPs voted for a motion, which read:[1] * With effect from 1 April 2010, no distinction shall be made for the purposes of the rules governing Members' allowances between an hon. Member who represents an inner-London constituency and an hon. Member who represents any other constituency the whole of which falls within 20 miles of the Palace of Westminster.This motion takes 49 outer-London constituencies out of the travel and second home allowance scheme.[2]As recently as July 2008 MPs voted against even reducing the allowable claim for outer-London MPs on second home expenses by 50%.[3][4]

Tim Henderson ● 6193d

Stuart.What do you mean "double dipped"? They represent two separate constituencies, for heaven's sake.Are you seriously suggesting that they should be paid half rations just because they are married?Further more, at least they pay their full whack of tax - which is more than can be said for some of the people who are bank-rolling Mary Macleod's campaign.

Robin Taylor ● 6193d

What a sublime porkie from Robin Taylor: "When they (the Keens) moved to the borough back in 1987, I think they may even have chosen the location of their house on Brook Road South (in part) so they could be close to the (Brentford FC) ground." I love the measured qualifier . . . (in part)As for his claims that neither of the "Keens really get much of a social life," poor put-upon little lambkins! Perhaps they're too busy spending the money they double dipped from the public purse in second homes allowances.

Stuart Parrott ● 6194d

All the top tournaments ?There aren't very many listed in the "Register of Member's Interests" :* September 1999, during the visit of the Hungarian Parliamentary Football Team to the UK, I received hospitality sponsored by Powergen Ltd., Provident Finance and West Ham FC. (Registered 12 January 2000)    * 10 September 1999, to Portugal with the Parliamentary Football Team, travel costs met by National Express Ltd., cost of football kit met by Spall Sports. (Registered 12 January 2000)    * 8-11 September 2001, to Gibraltar, to meet First Minister and others. Travel and hotel paid for by Government of Gibraltar. (Registered 20 July 2002)    * 28 May-8 June 2002, to Japan as a member of the Parliamentary Football Club, with a contribution towards the cost of the trip from Nomura Bank, First Group, T-Mobile and Waterfront Properties; hospitality and transport provided by Nomura Bank, transport by First Group; sports kit by Nike; and suits and accessories at discounted price by Burtons. (Registered 20 July 2002)11-14 June 2004, to Portugal as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Football Team, with travel, accommodation and hospitality provided by McDonalds, and football facilities and hospitality by the Portuguese Parliament. (Registered 14 July 2004)8-11 June 2006, to Germany as a member of the UK Parliamentary Football Club, to attend the World Cup and play football matches for charity. I received match ticket, hospitality and coach transport from McDonald's, and hospitality and coach transport from National Grid. (Registered 20 October 2006)16 December 2006-7 January 2007, to Australia and New Zealand with the Lords and Commons Cricket Team for inter-parliamentary matches. I was accompanied by my wife, Ann Keen MP, and our son and we paid our own travel and accommodation costs. Sponsorship was received from Diageo, Microsoft, Colliers, Vauxhall, Visa and the Australian Parliament Sports Club which was given to the following charities: the Trew Foundation (New Zealand), the Lord's Taverners (Australia) and Chance to Shine (UK), with the exception of a small proportion retained for incidental expenses. (Registered 3 April 2007)15-17 May 2008, to Guernsey at the invitation of the States of Guernsey, to play a football match with accommodation and hospitality provided by the States of Guernsey and a contribution to the air fare provided by our club sponsors National Grid. (Registered 12 June 2008)

Tim Henderson ● 6194d

"Alan Keen is indeed on the Parliamentary committee for football and takes advantage of freebies to all top tournaments abroad ro follow England."I shouldn't think he's the only one.Personally, I don't know what all the fuss is about. Give me a game of cricket any day.

Robin Taylor ● 6194d

"Alan is a big football fan. Just not of Brentford"Or paying for a ticket either.

Paul Fisher ● 6194d

" think they may even have chosen the location of their house on Brook Road South (in part) so they could be close to the ground."That is by far the funniest thing I have read on this forum in the last week or so and is really scraping the defend the Keens at all costs barrell.Alan Keen is indeed on the Parlamentary committee for football and takes advantage of freebies to all the top tournaments abroad to follow England.

Paul Fisher ● 6194d

Alan is a big football fan. Just not of Brentford.

Kath Richardson ● 6194d

Stuart.The Keens have always supported the Bees. Alan in particular is a big football fan (and, if I am correct, serves on a parliamentaty committee dealing with the issues that confront the game).When they moved to the borough back in 1987, I think they may even have chosen the location of their house on Brook Road South (in part) so they could be close to the ground.If Ann is unable to attend the celebrations then it's probably because of ministerial duties. Neither of them really get much of a social life.Of course, if Ann WAS to attend the celebrations then you'd have Phil Andrews on here complaining that it was because of the photoshoot.She's damned if she does, damned if she doesn't.

Robin Taylor ● 6194d

Maybe you should ask Councillor Matt Harmer Labour ward Councillor for Brentford.  I get an interesting newsy e-mail from him on a regular basis.Chin up.....

Sarah Felstead ● 6194d