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Councillor Sue Sampson · 04/01/2010 21:48:00

new.BrentfordTW8.com Communtity Forum Topic posting

Once again, Ann Keen's total expenses claim is BELOW average

TheyWorkForYou.com has now published the latest figures, for the 2008/9 financial year.They rank Health Minister Ann Keen 492nd out of 647 MPs. This means 491 MPs claimed MORE in expenses than she did, and only 155 MPs claimed LESS. Around three quarters of her total expense claim went on employing staff to help with casework.For 6 of the last 7 years, Ann's expenses have been less than most MPs'.With the fantastic work she is doing to help improve our NHS, I think this shows Ann Keen is good value for money.

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6062d50 Comments

Brilliant April Fool story ....

Ian Speed ● 6062d

Careful. The tide turns after midday.

George Knox ● 6062d

Watch out Ian - this was posted after Midday!

Sarah Felstead ● 6062d

I am not sure that I would have bothered posting Sue, but isn't this where you try to confuse with figures? If Ann is 492nd out of 647, doesn't that mean she is behind 491 other people?

Sarah Felstead ● 6062d

Are you trying to tell us that obtaining money fraudulently is acceptable just as long as the amount is below what other people get legally?

Ian Fillingham ● 6062d

How has she obtained money fraudulently, then? It was all OKayed by the Fees Office. You can disagree with the expenses system, fair enough, but she kept within the rules, and remember the expenses system was started by Thatcher

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6062d

"It was all OKayed by the Fees Office."So what? We really don't care. People are talking ethics, morals and common decency here. She's history.

Steve Taylor ● 6062d

Sorry to be repetative but someone else has already hit the nail on the head. It is not how much, it is the principal.And just who is now living in their Brentford home? Not them, according to locals in the pub.I'm a third generation Labour party voter, passionate about level fair play, dignity and honour. You cannot advocate one thing and then do the other. It is simply wrong .This kind of politics should have gone long ago.I would now sooner vote BNP than for this candidate. That's how strongly I feel and much of it is because of the dire drivel peddalled out by her flunkies and the sheer absence of both of them.It is not as though it is just them either. The whole system is a shameful indictment of modern Britain and shows how much we now need a written constitution with clear parameters for all and an improvement on version one across the pond.

John Norie ● 6061d

Perhaps you could clarify Sue - do you think it's OK for Alan Keen to claim a second home allowance for the same home he's living in with Ann, who already claims for it? Do you think it's OK for Jacqui Smith to say her sister's house is her main home , and continue to need a separate police guard for it, and then this be proved to be a lie , and for her to cost the taxpayer not only the money for the second home allowance but also the second police guard , and for her not to be prosecuted as long as she apologised to the House? This is OK in the twisted world of the Labour Party is it? When one considers that in the 80s MPs were deselected just for not being left-wing enough, the fact that Keen has remained a Labour candidate is an appalling stain on B&I Labour Party.

Ian Speed ● 6061d

"Perhaps you could clarify Sue - do you think it's OK for Alan Keen to claim a second home allowance for the same home he's living in with Ann, who already claims for it? "I reckon the 2nd home allowance was a perk that came with the job, a lot of outer London MPs took it, and as the Keens are both MPS they had the right to each claim for their share, but remember they also voted to abolish it.Ian, as you're a rising star of ICG, what do you think of Isleworth's 3 ICG councillors claiming a combined total of nearly a quarter of a million quid since the last local elections? How do you reckon this compares with the sort of money Vanessa claimed when she was a local councillor?

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6061d

It might off been in the rules Sue but she knew it was unfair and wrong but she continued to do it, she knew she didn't need a 2nd Home when she is less then a Hour drive from Westminster but she got one anyway and Claimed on it, she also claimed Travel Expenses when she was never in Her constitute Home, plus she continued to Claim 2nd Home allowance whilst her Constitute home was Empty she knew what she was doing and so do the Good people of her Constitute that's why she will be out in May at long last!!!

Simon Anderson ● 6061d

SueI do wonder what you would have claimed had you been the local MP.Is there no personal honour in this world?But for claiming expenses for attending Ealing on the barest minimum of of occasions which IMO was deplorable, Sharma of Ealing Southall has taken very little indeed in the way of parliamentary expenses, all of which appear to have been quite legit.Perks are usually benefits rather than an open door to milking taxpayers money.Your stance on expenses does you no favours.

George Knox ● 6061d

Sue STILL doesnt get it the K££ns took advantage off the system and now we all Know can she tell me How Many Surgeries has she done in the past 4yrs?

Simon Anderson ● 6061d

SimonAnn is one of the few MPs who don't claim travel expenses

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6061d

"Ann is one of the few MPs who don't claim travel expenses"Keen hardly needs to does she seeing as she has a luxury apartment paid for by us right on the door stop of the Commons!!

Paul Fisher ● 6061d

Most of the ICG councillors work or have worked virtually full time on their council work - Phil & Caroline Andrews have always done so, whilst both Jon Hardy and Paul Fisher are presently largely doing so. Can you point me to any Labour councillors who do not claim their full allowance?

Ian Speed ● 6061d

Here Here Paul!!!Who pays for ferrying her around in Mini Buses?

Simon Anderson ● 6061d

Sue Sampson is trying to create a fog by confusing councillor and MP salaries with inexcusable expense claims for second homes. It won't wash and if anything it highlights the moral confusion that seems to pervade her party in these times. Another four years in opposition beckons.

James Dash ● 6061d

Quite the contrary, James.Sue Sampson has merely highlighted the double standards of the Tories and ICG who complain about Ann Keen's expenses while having their own snouts in the trough.

Robin Taylor ● 6061d

Simon,I hope that if the ICG win they're not going to turn nasty towards you again - like they did after all the work you did for them in 2006.I'm reliably informed that they shafted you for the post of Political Officer and instead gave it to Andrew Sibley.If you let them, they'll just use you and then abuse you.

Robin Taylor ● 6061d

"If you let them, they'll just use you and then abuse you."Err - I think you are confusing this with what labour has done to you Robbie

Steve Taylor ● 6061d

RobinI appreciate your concerns i really do, and you know that I've had this Discussion openly and Fairly with Phil over the past couple years and he knows where i stand on it.I am not campaigning 4 them, but i feel very strongly towards Paul Fisher as a Great Councillor and as done so much 4 me in the 4yrs off Being Cllr and helped everyone I've referred them to him so in my Eyes he is a Great Cllr and Isleworth Needs him.As to the Syon Cllrs, I've worked with Caroline and John over the past year and half off living in the Syon ward and they have helped on many Issues and they certainly will be getting my Vote in May 100%.Robin i vote for those i feel are good for the residents it doesn't matter what the party is, its Like I like Dave Hughes and His wife who helped my mum recently and i like you, yes you are a supporter of Labour but that don't bother me as that's your right i certainly would not stop talking or being friends with someone who doesn't vote the same as me.Yes Phil and i have our differences where Ivybridge is concerned but he gave me the Best 4yrs f my life by getting me elected onto the Isleworth and Hounslow Charity Group, i am not interested to be honest in whats going on between Phil and you i feel its silly it doesn't get either off you anywhere mate its just makes you both look Silly.Like i said i can be Friends with Phil (who outside off Politics is a Nice Guy) and i can be friends with you too.As to Using me well i am older and wiser now and No one would do that 2 me Now.Lastly When it comes to Politics I give praise to Cllrs, Mp's or Parties where praise is due but i also will criticize them if they do wrong whoever the Cllr, Mp or party it is.

Simon Anderson ● 6061d

Getting paid for doing a decent day's work for your constituents is not having your ' snout in the trough'. Fraudulent expenses claims are though.

Ian Speed ● 6061d

Fair enough, Simon, you've always spoken highly of Paul in our email conversations, but based upon some of the other stuff you've said it would surprise me if you gave all three of your votes to the ICG.Then again, it's your choice.Any idea if the Tories and Lib Dems are putting up candidates in Isleworth, Simon? I've heard the ICG are fielding three candidates in neighbouring Hounslow South, which is currently held by their Tory coalition partners.

Robin Taylor ● 6061d

RobinNot sure who is standing 4 what Party mate to be Honest with you.All i said mate is people should vote 4 the person they feel is the Best Candidate and I am sorry to say but Paul would always get my support, as to Syon if John and Caroline are standing then they will get my Vote as they have helped me on many occasions over the past 15mths i would be a hypocrite if i got their Help then not Vote 4 them mate like you will Vote Ann as u hold her in high praise, we might not like each others way of Voting but i would never judge you for it.I have a friend who has just told me she will be Voting for Ann after years of not voting her (which shocked me!!) but she will always remain a friend off mine.

Simon Anderson ● 6061d

SimonRobin can't vote for Ann because he lives in Southall!

Steve Taylor ● 6061d

Sorry i forgot that but he can still Vote Labour

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

I see Sue never answered my Questions on this and other threads ive asked god if she became MP we would have another "Ann" not answering Locals Questions.

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

Can someone tell me where i can find out how many Surgeries Ann Keen has taken in the past 4yrs please?

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

I see that the Telegraph says that there are still maybe 20 sitting MP's who have not made their minds up yet.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7547973/Up-to-20-Labour-MPs-may-stand-down-this-week.html" While it is customary for retiring MPs to announce their intention to quit long before a general election to give their successor time to build up their profile in the constituency, a number are said to be planning to wait until the last minute to reveal that they are stepping down. Last week, Sir Ian Kennedy, head of the new expenses body, surprised Westminster by calling an end to the lucrative “golden goodbyes” of up to £65,000 paid to retiring MPs from the election after this one.That means MPs who stay on for another term will be substantially out of pocket compared to those who stand down now – tempting many who had planned to remain for another five years to consider their position."Dare I hope that Ann may still be considering ?Perhaps there is another friend of Peter Mandelson who could be parachuted in to provide a candidate I might consider voting for ?

Tim Henderson ● 6060d

Why do these MP's get thousands for stading down at the Next Elections? Havent they ripped off enough off the tax payers Money GREED!!!!!!!!

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

They need to be resettled after losing their jobs - a bit like a redundancy payout.I think unsettled claims against them that are still outstanding will be taken off the resettlement grant.

Tim Henderson ● 6060d

I think you will need to ask Ann.The Expenses records show that she stopped claiming money to hire rooms for surgeries at a certain date ( I think about four years ago) but she still tweets on twitter about holding surgeries (in the Treaty Centre relatively recently). What room she uses for them or whether it is just at a cafe table I do not know.The evidence to the Parliamentary Commissioner (about the claims for the second home in Waterloo while there wasn't a habitable first home) talked about the difficulty in conducting surgeries without a base in the constituency but Ann struggled through to manage the service to constituents.Now that she is back in Brentford it must be easier.

Tim Henderson ● 6060d

Yes but some off them DONT deserve it Like Byer, Beckett and Hoon

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

As to Margaret Moran saying she could do Her Mp surgeries because she was ill but tell dispatches she is Ready now she should be sacked and Deffinatly not get a Reduncy payment!!She was paid to be a MP which is clear she hasnt been doing so she still takes her pay....

Simon Anderson ● 6060d

To be honest I can't even be bothered to read all of this thread, there is nothing new on the postings I have read. It's all been done to death erally. I do however have a question for Sue and any other labour activist/supporters following the thread and I would really appreciate an answer!Do the local labour party truly in their hearts and souls believe Ann Keen will be re-elected at a general election?Unless they do, (in which case they are deluded or worse) why was she not deselected and another plausable candidate put up for this constituency?Why do they have so little regard for the electorate that we have in effect been given no choice on who to vote for? I am a labour supporter/voter through and through and I would still vote labour at any forthcoming election. I think Gordon Brown is a decent and intelligent well meaning man who deserves a longer stay in power to try and get things right. I had no time for Tony Blair ever, even from day one. However, I digress, who would you suggest I vote for now in this constituency? Ann Keen will never get another vote from me or from many other dyed in the wool labour voters so, we are left with no candidate to support and that is shameful.In the certain knowledge she will be defeated, largely as a result of her greed or perhaps just the perception of her greed, she has been left in place to collect her £65,000 pay off in May/June whenever and no doubt hubby will be getting the same. Well worth her staying on for but not worth labour not putting up a credible candidate!

Bernadette Paul ● 6060d

Just give Andrew Dakers a chance..

Ian Speed ● 6060d

If Bernadette feels that Liberals espoused social justice before the Labour party was ever thought of, and if she feels that the Liberals still do,as I think both Clegg and Cable do, then -vote Dakers.

George Knox ● 6060d

TimYou're barking up the wrong tree, Ann will be fighting a determined campaign. If it's okay for George Osborne, a Shadow Chancellor no less, to get away with being made to give back £1,193 on overpayments on his mortgage and chauffeur fares, then why should Ann resign over a much smaller pay back?? This man will be your CHANCELLOR Tim if the Tories win, how can you be happy with that when you're upset about the expenses saga

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6060d

You're right Sue, they are both equally a disgrace locally and nationally.Vote Dakers.

James Dash ● 6060d

I wont be voting for George Osborne he is not my MP. I have no choices in this constituency Ann Kenn is the MP. I will not vote for her and neither will any other labour voter in the area that I have spoken to. Don't you get the message. It's more than just the claims for expenses that are unjustifiable. She is now deeply unpopular. When will the penny drop?

Bernadette Paul ● 6059d

"I wont be voting for George Osborne he is not my MP. I have no choices in this constituency Ann Kenn is the MP. I will not vote for her and neither will any other labour voter in the area that I have spoken to. Don't you get the message. It's more than just the claims for expenses that are unjustifiable. She is now deeply unpopular. When will the penny drop?"Totally agree - just when will the penny drop with these labour activists? BC&I has been let down badly. Similarly David Cameron is targeting Southport saying its a 'must win' seat if they are going to get into power, but he must beat Lib Dem John Pugh whois part of Vince Cables treasury team, and another academic like Vince who is a really hardworking unassuming chap who cares about people, issues and the town.BC&I isn't about Osborne or Macleod. Its about Keen or an elected Cllr who has already proved his worth, dedication, intellect and commitment to the Borough. Vote Dakers. Labour supporters owe it to this community.

Steve Taylor ● 6059d

Here here Bernadette!!!Sorry Sue doesn't get it as if she did she would realise that the Labour Party know they wont win in this area in May and that's why they have put up Sue again as no one else is stupid enough to stand and think they are going to win then be Humiliated!!

Simon Anderson ● 6059d

Ian Speed ● 6059d

Why make an issue out of Jacqui Smith, there are Tories who claimed for moats and duckhouses and still don't know what all the fuss is about, the ICG councillors have made a pretty penny too but you're one of their buddies. The reason for this thread was to show Ann Keen's no worse than the rest

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 6059d

Well i'm sorry you have not succeeded. I don't care about other mps they are not my mp if they were I would not vote for them. I also don't care about the ICG I'm not voting for them either. It has to be said at least some tories had the decency to stand down and others were deselected. The Keens are not outer London MPs and their commute to work is no more taxing than mine but I can't claim expenses or have a second home paid for for me, nor I suspect can any of the consituents you expect to go out and vote for her.I am old enough to remember a labour party with conviction a party that stood for things I believed in and politicians that were frequently inspiring. The likes of Ann Keen make me despair. She clearly only has self interest at heart. She has made her pile and I do begrudge her and her husband the redundancy payments they will be picking up shortly. I worked with a woman who had worked at my firm for 34 years and received £13000 redundancy. Perhaps MPs should only receive the same statutory redudancy that the rest of the private sector workforce receive? She clearly has no shame and is totally out of touch with her consituents if she believes she has a chance of re-election and I therefore believe the fact that she did not jump but is waiting to be pushed, says all we need to know.In any event you have not answered my question, Do you seriously believe she will be re-elected? If not, why was she not deselected and a credible candidate put up? Clearly you will say she can be re-elected in which case I'm afraid you are, as I said, deluded and definitely in denial. I am aggrieved because I want a labour government returned and yet I can't vote for it. This seat is lost already and you really must know that. She does not have a large majority and would take very little for her to lose even if she was popular but she is not!

Bernadette Paul ● 6058d

Why is it that some in the B&I are so deluded? Are they part of a Keens gravy train? Are they getting promotions and perks from a helping hand?Clearly none of their stalwarts have the balls to face them straight, tell her a few home truths and make a fresh start.Who knows.But just because other are milking the system, does not make it right.Many of those 'others' are going. Not to be re-elected. They are shamed and have at least got the message.This should be lost seat and the only chance of survival is that the other candidates are weak and most of the electorate are thoroughly disgusted with all politicians.Mrs. Keen may well win again through apathy and despair but she will not have anything like the sort of majority that a new labour candidate would have gained.

Anthony Waller ● 6058d

The key difference between Smith and the ICG is that Smith lied on her claim about her main home , and clocked up huge sums in police costs at her sister's house just so that she could continue to claim the allowance ( this would not have been necessary if she had had a grace and favour apartment, but such an apartment would have prevented her claiming for her large midlands home). The ICG councillors have merely claimed the council allowances to which they are entitled , and as I said in almost every instance when they have served on the Exec they have worked virtually full time on council business. Are there any Labour councillors who have not claimed their full allowance ?

Ian Speed ● 6058d

I feel the Same question could go to Sue do u think u have a chance on winning in May in Isleworth??

Simon Anderson ● 6058d

Is that the case so then they have all fiddled us out of well above 140000 Pounds that Ann and Allan have fiddled in the last 4 years and was only made to pay back 1500 pounds, very well done Labour!!! It would seem that the 156 Million Pounds that is to be distributed to Member's of Parliament as a Golden Handshake is warranted as well, is it.

Dawn Hardy ● 6058d