Forum Topic

Vince Cable MP supports Mogden fight

Thanks must go to Dr Vince Cable MP who visited Mogden yesterday to support local residents in their continued fight against Thames Waterhttp://philandrews.blogspot.com/Our useless freeloading MP Annie Keen who of course expressed her delight that the plant received planning permission to increase its capacity by over 50% did not attend which was hardly surprising

Paul Fisher ● 5874d46 Comments

"Steve How Did Cllr Reid Stab us in the Back mate?"By first voting no and then suddenly doing a u-turn and rushing to back Ruth Cadbury and leading 100% of the Tories to vote yes.

Steve Taylor ● 5865d

Steve How Did Cllr Reid Stab us in the Back mate?

Simon Anderson ● 5866d

"John Todd took the trouble to visit the technical court and sit there listening to the evidence yet he has repeatedly refused to say whether he wants to see the residents win the case or Thames Water." Yep - John Todd's refusal to answer the questions is surely indicative of some hidden agenda. Interesting too that he jumped onto this thread to defend Sue Sampson. The mind boggles.....but maybe not. We already saw Barbara Reid leap across the floor to join up with Ruth Cadbury to stab residents in the back. It seems that the best Mr Todd can now do in his pathetic attempt to draw attention away from the issue is to attack Vince Cable across the border on an issue which is of no relevance to the subject at hand.

Steve Taylor ● 5866d

Some kind of explanation for the Conservatives failure to support their coalition partners and these residents, rather than attacks on the residents group through this forum, would be helpful.Labour's unwillingness to support MRAG can easily be put down to pique at the fact that it would appear to be run independently by residents, but what motivates the Conservative position?  John Todd took the trouble to visit the technical court and sit there listening to the evidence yet he has repeately refused to say whether he wants to see the residents win the case or Thames Water.  Are we talking here about some kind of financial relationship between the Conservatives and Thames Water or is it that they just don't want to get on the wrong side of their officers?  And what is the officers agenda anyway?

James Dash ● 5867d

"Mr Taylor is unable or unwilling to provide accurate facts in his consistently politically biaised posts."Oh dear -  Tory Cllr Todd has now jumped across the border from Chiswick to  defend  Isleworth Labours'  Sue Sampson who isn't able to answer the questions?  I am at a loss on how many times I have to explain to Tory Todd the same old, same old, but here goes.1./  Yes - Andrew Dakers voted expansion as he and SDC were misled by Council Officers regarding the facts of Ofwat funding. 2./ Councillor Dakers and other Cllrs lodged a complaint against the Tory Chair of SDC about the way the committee was handled / chaired.3./ I met Cllr Dakers and provided the real facts as were already known to Council Officers and Tory members4./ I met Mary Macleod and provided the same information5./ Andrew Dakers realised that SDC had been deceived, conned, misled - call it what you like - and is now trying to mitigate the error.6./ Mary Macleod decided not to act or inform Tory Cllrs of the information she was provided. The Tories are unwilling to do anything to correct the error.7./ Twickenham residents are just as affected by this Tory blunder as are Hounslow residents.8./ Vince Cable recognises this as fact and wants to help.9./ Vince Cable has been to Mogden, Chaired several meetings on site and understands the problems.10./ Andrew Dakers has been to Mogden and attended many meetings with residents at the site.11./ Whitton is also badly affected12./ Whittons Lib Dem Cllr  Liz Jaeger  has attended several meetings at site.Now the questions yet again for Cllr Todd.1./ Cllr - you have been in Court and now presumably have a limited understanding of the case of mismanagement, negligence and underfunding of Mogden over the last 2 decades?  Who do you want to win the case?2./ How many of the Tory Cllrs who voted 100% for this expansion had ever been to the site prior to voting?3./ How many have visited the site since voting?4./ Why are you so intend on attacking me for trying to improve the environment of your Borough? 5./ What motives do I have Cllr? 6./ When I met Mary Macleod - did she get any impression of me being politically biased? I believe your constant attacks on my integrity are indicative of your incensed desire to work against residents rather than with them. Why?

Steve Taylor ● 5867d

Mr Taylor is unable or unwilling to provide accurate facts in his consistently politically biaised posts.LBH SDC approved Mogden's expansion in March 2009. Cllr Andrew Dakers (Mr Taylor's dithering preferred candidate) voted in favour of this expansion, as did Labour and Conservative Councillors.Mr Taylor might like to clarify whether he actually lives in Hounslow too. The adjacent Lib Dem Council has nothing to be proud of. Financially inept etc. Why inflict more of this fantasy groups policies  on LBH?Dear old Vince's jumbo tax on large properties too. Hiddden from his colleagues. Even they screamed!

John Todd ● 5867d

Sue Sampson STILL at a loss on how to answer questions put to her.

Steve Taylor ● 5867d

And here's some extracts from an email from a Twickenham resident last night sent to Hounslow Council Leaders.Does one wonder why Vince Cable and Andrew Dakers take the matter very seriously indeed? Does one wonder why Vince Cable felt it appropriate to cross the border to help?  Does it not raise the question on why the Tory Leadership is not prepared to back Andrew Dakers and Vince Cable on this?Does is raise any eyebrows when Labours Sue Sampson and Ann Keen MP announce that Labour has stopped the environmental nuisance?  "the time is gone 5.30, and the mogden stink has been pervading my  doors and windows now for the past hour or so. IT IS appalling, and I  would like my complaint forwarded to that lot who don't care about  residents, no matter how far away we live from the sewage works.  My  husband and child have just returned from Heath Road (the high  street), and they say the stench in town is horrendous. yes - that's Twickenham, not high street whitton, Tesco's car park  or any other areas unfortunate enough to be immediately bordering on  this money-grabbing cesspool.How dare Mogden impose this on our town? How dare the council give  approval to expand an already oversized works so near to urban life?  Who is going to help us? " 

Steve Taylor ● 5869d

So if I understand Sue right we should accept a blatant lie on Ann Keen's website, that she has put an end (again!) to the Mogden smell, on the grounds that Mary Macleod has also turned her back on the residents?  Is it any wonder that such a crisis of confidence exists in the political system?

James Dash ● 5869d

She is still waiting for instructions from Southall HQ on how to respond and what she should say

Paul Fisher ● 5869d

Sue Sampson at a loss on how to answer questions put to her

Steve Taylor ● 5869d

Sue - It is a fact that Ms Macleod has visited Mogden and it is a fact that Ann Keen has visited Mogden. It is also a fact that the problem hasn't been solved, cured, mitigated or call it what you like.  It is also a fact that Ann Keen has approved the expansion of Mogden without consulting with you or any residents. If I am wrong please tell me that I am wrong and that you advised her that the problem was solved and that you agreed to the expansion. Can you tell me that Sue? It is also a fact that Mary Macleod was advised that expansion of the plant at this time was not appropriate. It is unforgivable that she didn't act upon that advice which was provided by experts in the field of process and odour. It is unforgivable that the Tory Members of SDC did a U-turn and joined Ann Keen's camp. It is also a fact that Vince Cable who has been to Mogden more than any other politician and has had more meetings with Thames Managing Directors than any other MP or PPC,  recognises the failures of this Council and the current MP,  and sees fit to cross the border to support not only his own constituents but also the residents of Hounslow.  However the under mentioned quote from Mrs Keen is pure unadulterated lies. "Thames Water is spending £50 million updating the facility and covering over sections of the plant that were previously open to the elements. This action will greatly improve the quality of life for residents in the surrounding area." A) Thames Water didn't spend a penny. Ofwat authorised £42 million of  Ratepayer money but Thames spent less than £30 million. of this money and pocketed the rest.B) This action did not greatly improve  the quality of life for residents. It caused even more odour havoc because they got it it all wrong yet again. Sue,  you must surely realise that Mrs Keen is history and if you really don't want Ms Macleod as you MP - you owe it to yourself and the community to aspire to represent , to back the efforts of Andrew Dakers.

Steve Taylor ● 5870d

Paul Fisher daren't criticise Mary "do nothing" McLeod about Mogden because he's in coalition with her party on the Executive, I doubt Mary even knows where Mogden is, yeah she might have visited it in her limousine she probably thinks its in Twickers

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 5870d

http://annkeen.co.uk/accomplishments/ After a long and hard fought campaign by Ann Keen and a local "residence" group, Thames Water was finally forced into doing something to stop the unbearable smell and mosquito problem at Mogden sewage treatment works. Thames Water is spending £50 million updating the facility and covering over sections of the plant that were previously open to the elements. This action will greatly improve the quality of life for residents in the surrounding area. Absolutely shameless isn’t she and completely out of touch?

Paul Fisher ● 5870d

"Neither of the other two seem to have word to say for the thousands of victims, shame!" Not quite true - Labour have said - yes there was a problem 20 years ago but we cured it in 2001 so we don't quite understand what the fuss is all about and we are on very friendly terms with Thames Water as our MP met up with them secretly  over a weekend and they assured us that the problem isn't a problem and they must know what they are talking about because they have lots of dosh in the bank.The Tories have said -  well we don't know where Mogden is because we have never been there so we don't quite know what to say. Isn't it in Twickenham?  Surely its up to Vince Cable to sort out and not us? Anyway we heard that Thames have lots of dosh in the Bank so we don't want to upset them. By the way - where is Isleworth?  The Lib Dems have said.  Indeed there is a huge problem at Mogden and its astounding what has been revealed in the High Court trial.  We promise to tackle the problem and Andrew  Dakers has taken a personal interest in this matter as he feels aggrieved at the way the Tories and Labour have turned their backs on the problem.

Steve Taylor ● 5871d

For anyone living within sniffing distance of Mogden electing Andy Dakers is an absolute no brainer.  Neither of the other two seem to have word to say for the thousands of victims, shame!

James Dash ● 5871d

Yawn

Ian Silver ● 5871d

"He thinks the reason that people don't always reply to his posts is because they haven't got an answer." You got it in one Robbie. They don't have the answers because they are ignorant of the facts. If they had answers they would respond within seconds - but they haven't the answers. They are fumbling and stumbling in a world which is beyong their limited intellect. Thus they will always fail to achieve their political ambitions. Like you Robbie they live in the wilderness of losers. 

Steve Taylor ● 5871d

Ian Silver ● 5871d

Steve Taylor is confused.He thinks the reason that people don't always reply to his posts is because they haven't got an answer.The truth is that a lot of them don't think he's worth the time.

Robin Taylor ● 5871d

"Steve, I don't have that information, I think you know it wouldn't make any difference what the Labour Group did they're not in control of LBH"So what you are saying then Sue, is that you can provide no evidence to support your claim that Ann Keen had Mosquito nuisance legislated as a nuisance and you are confirming that the Labour Group simply gave up on making any stand to protect residents from the environmental impact of Mogden. Not a single meeting, discussion or minute you can refer us to? So you are in agreement then are you Sue? Since losing all seats on the Council in Isleworth, the Labour Group across the Hounslow Borough decided to turn its back on residents.  Likewise when Labour lost control of the Council, Ann Keen decided to move away from the area because BC&I weren't worthy of her anymore? Was that when she stopped holding surgeries and stopped communicating with the people she is supposed to represent?   

Steve Taylor ● 5871d

PaulChris cant even sort out a Bank account for the residents Association on Ivybridge even though he has been treasurer for nearly a year let alone sort out Mogden's Issues!!

Simon Anderson ● 5872d

Steve..U ever thought off standing as MP or Cllr you would get my Vote!!!

Simon Anderson ● 5872d

Well Sue is unable to dig herself or her party out of this one is she?

Steve Taylor ● 5872d

"Sue Sampson,Chris Boucher and Tony McKendry who all stood for Labour in the Isleworth Ward in 2006 proclaimed that thanks to them the stench had now gone at last on their leaflets" I guess thats why Sue Sampson,Chris Boucher and Tony McKendry haven't been in the High Court to hear Mogdens current manager being x-examined on why the site was producing such high levels of stench in Feb this year - yes thats 2010.

Steve Taylor ● 5872d

"Not forgetting of course that Ann Keen on Robins advice decided to comment on Mogden recently ..."Do you get paid your £25,000 a year to tell lies like that?

Robin Taylor ● 5872d

Not forgetting of course that Ann Keen on Robins advice decided to comment on Mogden recently and expressed her delight that planning permission was given to expand the plants capacity by over 50% and stuff what the residents suffering locally think and she even stated on her website that the works were in Brentford!Sue Sampson,Chris Boucher and Tony McKendry who all stood for Labour in the Isleworth Ward in 2006 proclaimed that thanks to them the stench had now gone at last on their leaflets and oh I almost forgot that they got the 267 buses to run on time!!

Paul Fisher ● 5872d

However easy it was for Vince to cross the border and support the residents of Isleworth and Hounslow South it was obviously too difficult for Ann Keen and Mary Macleod to do.

James Dash ● 5872d

It's just a shame that St. Vince doesn't support his own constituents in their fight over the Twickenham Riverside development. How easy to pop over the border and try for a few cheap votes for wannabee Dakers.

Vanessa Smith ● 5873d

"Think steve won this argument....lol"I also think Steve won this argument because Steve always bases his statements on pure fact. Steve doesn't suffer fools gladly and that is what Sue is proving to be. Someone who is totally our of touch with the reality of what is happing and what has happened in this Borough, and worse, in the Ward she is contesting.But lets wait and see if Sue wants to dig herself even deeper!Labour and Tories had their chances and they blew it. Now Vince Cable and Andrew Dakers are on hand and are willing and able to dig us out of the mess we are in. And thats a fact!

Steve Taylor ● 5873d

Think steve won this argument....lol

Simon Anderson ● 5873d

"Steve, I don't have that information, I think you know it wouldn't make any difference what the Labour Group did they're not in control of LBH"So what you are saying then Sue is that you can provide no evidence to support your claim that Ann had Mosquito nuisance legislated as a nuisance and you are confirming that the Labour Group simply gave up on making any stand to protect residents from the environmental impact of Mogden. Not a single meeting, discussion or minute you can refer us to."Steve, you're having a laugh, you were there when Larry Whitty came to visit the plant!!"Aah - that meeting - after we had taken our case to Alun Michael and subsequently we invited Larry Whitty to the Mogden Plant to see for himself? Indeed I was at that meeting as was Vince Cable. When was it again Sue?  Back in 2002 or 2003 or was it 2004. It seems like an age. And remind us again of how  Larry  joined the board of OFWAT shortly after that meeting and remind us again of what the Labour Group did to enforce the Abatement Notice?  Ah yes - I recall now - they didn't - they allowed Thames to agree an out of Court settlement because they were too frightened that Thames would appeal again. So remind us again how much odour reduced after the Abatement Notice was issued. Ah - that's right - it didn't because the Labour Group allowed the terms of the Notice to be modelled on Beckton STW rather than Mogden didn't they Sue?

Steve Taylor ● 5874d

"if you can point me in the direction of any minutes of meetings where the Labour Group has pushed the Council, in terms of this legislation to take any statutory, action."Steve, I don't have that information, I think you know it wouldn't make any difference what the Labour Group did they're not in control of LBH. Before 2006, when Labour ran the Council, Thames Water was served with an abatement notice, we took them to Court to force them to meet their obligations, this shows that unlike the Tories we do think it is sometimes necessary to use public money to get the best for the public.'I am wondering when Ann brought the Environment Minister to Mogden and why residents weren't informed'Steve, you're having a laugh, you were there when Larry Whitty came to visit the plant!!

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 5874d

"Ann Keen has brought the Environment Minister to inspect Mogden and got changes to legislation to make the mosquito problem a statutory nuisance."Thanks Sue for that info. I am wondering when Ann brought the Environment Minister to Mogden and why residents weren't informed. I would also be interested to know more about the mosquito problem being legislated and if you can point me in the direction of any minutes of meetings where the Labour Group has pushed the Council, in terms of this legislation to take any statutory, action. I refer of course to the huge 2009 mosquito problems.

Steve Taylor ● 5874d

Sue, I'm old enough to remember the 1970's and yes the smell was bad then but there was no technology then to resolve the problem, there is now.  We all know why the Tories won't support the reisdents but what is Labour's reason?  Just bitterness and rancour because the residents are spearheading the campaign?  There must be more justification for your anger than that surely?

James Dash ● 5874d

'Considering you told us all four years ago, in your local election campaign, that you'd resolved the problem and that the smell was no more' That's the same as what Phil Andrews says, were you two separated at birth?? The Mogden pong isn't as bad as it was back in the 70s but I don't remember saying it was 'resolved' where did I say that

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 5874d

Considering you told us all four years ago, in your local election campaign, that you'd resolved the problem and that the smell was no more I'm surprised Ann Keen needed to speak to the Environment Minister.But thanks for telling us anyay about how much you have done for us.  We are truly grateful.

James Dash ● 5874d

Ann Keen has brought the Environment Minister to inspect Mogden and got changes to legislation to make the mosquito problem a statutory nuisance.

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 5874d

Here Here Steve

Simon Anderson ● 5874d

"The 'useless freeloading MP' who helped get us a new hospital on the site of the West Mid do you mean"Anyway....back to the point of Paul's thread. It was great to see a neighbouring MP and a prospective MP taking an interest in this issue after Ann Keen has turned her back on it and residents she is paid to serve. 

Steve Taylor ● 5874d

"The 'useless freeloading MP' who helped get us a new hospital on the site of the West Mid do you mean"All negated by her approval of Mogden in our midst. all negated by her expense claimsAll negated by her moving to WaterlooAll negated by her refusal to engage with the communityUnfortunate isn't it. She had the opportunity to do so much and she blew it all. BIG TIME

Steve Taylor ● 5874d

Don't tell me she is taking Credit 4 the hospital Now?>?

Simon Anderson ● 5874d

"Thanks must go to Dr Vince Cable MP who visited Mogden yesterday to support local residents in their continued fight against Thames Water"http://philandrews.blogspot.com/  Indeed, after repeated requests for Hounslow  Tories to support the efforts of PPC Andrew Dakers to call Thames Water to account, it is extremely gratifying to know that Vince Cable found time, and found it necessary to 'cross the border'  to support Hounslow residents. Vince has chaired many resident liaison meetings with Thames Water so he knows the style of the Company we are dealing with and he knows the people we are dealing with. He is mindful too of the fact that the Mogden operation affects so many thousands of residents in Twickenham too. It is unfortunate that people like Cllr Adrian Lee, Cllr John Todd and not least the Hounslow Leader, Peter Thompson, have been in power at Hounslow for so long yet they have never visited Mogden and know so little about it. Also disappointing that Cllr Lee performed yet another Tory cowardly u-turn by refusing to respond to my agreement/offer/request  to meet him and educate him on these environmental issues which are now the subject of a £multi million case against Thames. And the biggest kick in the teeth for Hounslow residents by the Tory Leadership is that we now hear in Court that Hounslow Council has  consented to Thames Water's  application to defer any action on the Odour Abatement Notices  until after the civil trial has taken place. And this at the same time as Cllr Peter Thompson went to print advising us all how proud he was that under his Leadership the Council had (after 9 years of doing nothing) served another Abatement Notice on Thames. The underhand manner of this Council is unbelievable.So well done to Andrew Dakers and Vince Cable for reminding us again that you truly care for ALL the communities in the Boroughs you serve.

Steve Taylor ● 5874d

Yep she built it brick by brick all on her own I supposeI`m surprised she can even remember where it is these days though I bet she suddenly does when there's a photo opportunity!

Paul Fisher ● 5874d

The 'useless freeloading MP' who helped get us a new hospital on the site of the West Mid do you mean

Councillor Sue Sampson ● 5874d

Good old Vince

Simon Anderson ● 5874d