Forum Topic

Ann Keen won the Brook Road South Polling District

My understanding is that Ann Keen topped the vote in the polling district which surrounds her Brook Road South home.This is a mainly owner occupier neighbourhood (part of which I believe is in a conservation zone). However, if the information that I have been given is true, it is very significant because it was the scene (last summer) of squatters taking over the Keens' house.Although there was reportedly some difference of opinion among locals in terms of their attitudes towards the Keens and the squatters, I must admit to being quite surprised at this apparent result. The balance of opinion on this forum has never favoured the Keens, and most vocal people were on the side of the squatters.Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Could it be that the anti-Keen vote was split, or is it simply the case that the silent majority took a sympathetic attitude towards the local MP? (It is noteworthy that we heard very little from Mr Parrott and his anti-Keen petition once the squatters had taken over, and the incident even caused Vanessa Smith to come back into the Labour fold). Or perhaps the information I've been given is inaccurate?

Robin Taylor ● 6018d28 Comments

"Or perhaps the information I've been given is inaccurate?"Well there would be no change there then unless its another of your Keen fantasies!

Paul Fisher ● 6018d

This area has a history of being a Labour vote and indeed some excellent Labour councillors, but given that this information has not been made fully available to date cannot be varified.One of the down sides of voting for councils and MPs at the same time is the end result.Ealing has had it's best administration is a very long time. The Labour one almost bankrupted the borough and was self indulgent and chaotic with egos and ideological doctrines ruling over common sense and responsibility.The previous tory administration was little better. But the outgoing admin was one of the best the Borough has had in decades and it shows all over the borough. Not perfect but hugely improved.So it would stand to reason that a Conservative administration would be returned. But this did not happen.A 70%+ turnout in many parts voted for two good Labour MPs. Steve Pound and the sitting MP for Southall who is the most appropriate representative for his district. The new central area was an unknown quantity but is made up from of a lot of a strong tory seat .Consequently, those voting Labour will probably vote Labour for the council too by party preference rather than weighing up whether the administration has been a good one or not.The same goes for Brentford, but the other way round. The Tory admin has not been as effective as Ealing's.It's excellent Labour councillors with a good local profile carried Mrs Keen.Locally, it is hard to hear a good word about the Keens, even from those who have long been supporters. The feeling was that we would rather have had a new Labour candidate.There was certainly mixed stuff over the squatters, amusement, and sympathy for sure but the real issues are the expenses saga and some other  local issues that AK about turned on.

Michael Brandt ● 6018d

"One of the down sides of voting for councils and MPs at the same time is the end result."That is a statement I would love to have made, but wouldn't have dared!  :o)

Phil Andrews ● 6018d

As someone who wanted Ann Keen to win, one consoling factor for me is that I never thought she could hold on anyway: in fact, I was surprised at how well she did.It is, however, sad to see Phil's continuing bitter introspection at his own defeat. He has already complained that he lost because of a high turnout, and has moaned about voters who allegedly "don't give a toss" about local issues.But it gets worse: having just read his blog, it is apparent that he has now reverted to the clinical paranoia that he was displaying symptoms of last year. This involves him responding to any unfavourable anonymous remark with phrases like "Go away Robin, you complete nutter." (This, by the way, comes on top of threatening remarks made on the same blog about Manria Kaur).Given that Phil clearly has no intention of accepting the electorate's verdict (which would involve him retiring gracefully) it seems that both his blog and the forum is set for four more years of him venting his spleen at an electorate that he thinks made the "wrong" decision.It's just so sad that some people cannot move on.

Robin Taylor ● 6018d

Robin's typically eccentric interepretation of my comments following last week's local elections is curious, if irrelevant - both to the subject of this thread and to the politics of another borough in which he retains an obsessive, and rather creepy and unnatural interest.  It comes in response to a light-hearted and entirely uncontentious one-liner from me and I crave the indulgence of those who wish to discuss the subject at hand - Ann Keen's electoral performance in the Brook Road South area - whilst I address his spluttering and quite unnecessary belligerence this one last time.Unfortunately for him other users of this forum can read.They can see for themselves that my reaction to the outcome of the local election has been to offer my congratulations and best wishes to the victorious candidates, and to express my hope and desire that they and the local community group can work together for the greater good.The same forum users can also see for themselves the effort Robin is going to to try to sustain a rift between those new councillors and the community they have been elected to represent.One is entitled to ask why.  My own theory is that in the absence of any conflict Robin's nefarious influence in matters concerning Isleworth and Syon becomes redundant.  In other words he is quite selfishly making difficulties for those he calls comrades, who already have a challenging task ahead of them.  With friends like him they certainly don't need enemies.Robin expresses the desire for me to "retire".  A peculiar request indeed, as I in fact "retired" the moment the result was read out on Friday, 7th May.  I am no longer a councillor.Or is he asking that I, and other residents of Isleworth and Syon wards, "retire" from taking any kind of interest at all in the affairs of our own neighbourhood?  And if so, why?

Phil Andrews ● 6018d

"Heathrow runway plans scrapped by new government  Plans for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport have been scrapped by the new government." Another kick in the teeth for Alan and Ann K££n.

Steve Taylor ● 6017d

I have no doubt that the residents of Brentford of all political persuasions will be happy that the 3rd Runway has been scrapped. They will also be grateful to all the outging Hounslow councillors who campaigned against it.It will be interesting to see what the new Labour Hounslow administration's attitude will be towards Heathrow Expansion.

David Giles ● 6016d

Well personally David, as a resident of Brentford, I'm not at all bothered about the scrapping of the third runway.  Brentford rarely if ever has the planes flying directly overhead now, and the third runway approach would have been north of most of Brentford.  Thus it wouldn't really have made much difference to the residents of Brentford in my view.Given that the ruling coalition at national level is clearly anti Heathrow (and Gatwick and Stansted) airport expansion, why should the new local Labour administration express any attitude towards Heathrow expansion ? - it's dead in the water so I anticipate the administration's focus will be on other issues.

Adam Beamish ● 6016d

"why should the new local Labour administration express any attitude towards Heathrow expansion ?" Because many 'landlords' in Feltham and Hounslow West were looking forward to mass immigration to cover all the thousands of new jobs that were promised if expansion went ahead. Check out the planning applications for extensions, loft conversions etc!! 

Steve Taylor ● 6016d

AdamI agree with you that the new Labour Administration in Hounslow has many other issues to worry about other than Heathrow Expansion.Given the divisions in the Labour Party on the issue, then new Labour Administration  must be breathing a sign of relief than the Third Runaway issue has been settled for now at least by the new Government.

David Giles ● 6016d

Perhaps true Steve, although all Councils have experienced a considerable reduction in the quantity of planning applications being submitted over the last 18 months or so, and the 'minor' planning applications for extensions, loft conversions etc. tend to primarily be home-owners trying to increase the value of their main asset to achieve a greater return once the market picks up again.

Adam Beamish ● 6015d

It has more to do with the fact that we cannot get rid of our kids!They can no longer afford to go away to university so stay local and cannot afford to rent or buy flats as new job pay levels even for graduates is as low as it was when I started work in the 1980's

Michael Brandt ● 6015d

"They can no longer afford to go away to university so stay local"Wasn't it Labour who brought in Uni tuition fees?

Steve Taylor ● 6015d

Still on the issue of the election count, I noticed this comment on the UK Polling Report website (from someone called "Dickie B"). It was related to a discussion about the local election results in Hounslow:"We gained an extra seat and got shot of a millstone around our neck, or more precisely six millstones. I don’t consider the council result a defeat."May 8th, 2010 at 8:22 pmPresumably, this is a Tory activist talking about the ICG (although no party logo was shown next to the comment, as is customary with politically partisan comments on that website).Someone has also made a remark on the same website to the effect that Mary Macleod may just have out-polled Ann Keen in Syon Ward. This does, however, appear to be based on scrutinising the ballots cast in only one polling district - although it backs up something I've heard from another source about what happened in that ward. What is noteworthy about this is that the Labour council candidates did win Syon Ward in the local elections: however, they were helped by the fact that their opponents' vote was split between the Tories and the ICG (an advantage not enjoyed by Ann Keen in the parliamentary election).

Robin Taylor ● 6015d

Who cares?  The fact is that Ann K££n has been deservedly  kicked from here to eternity  and the good people of OUR constituency now have a new and energetic MP who will put the people before personal greed

Steve Taylor ● 6015d

RobinDo you have the URL please?

Phil Andrews ● 6015d

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/brentfordandisleworth?cp=all#commentsFour up from bottom.

Tony Wood ● 6015d

The link is:http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/brentfordandisleworthScroll down the page for comments.

Robin Taylor ● 6015d

Interesting.  Thanks.

Phil Andrews ● 6015d

"Interesting.  Thanks."That's all right.Wonder if Dickie B's a councillor..?

Robin Taylor ● 6015d

You seem to be hinting that you know more than you're letting on?

Phil Andrews ● 6015d

No, I'm not aware of who it is. However, I have heard through the grapevine of at least two Tory councillors with similar sentiments.

Robin Taylor ● 6015d

They can't dislike us too much as they've asked one or two of our number to join them.  Not me though, I'm feeling very left out...

Phil Andrews ● 6014d

but lost Brentford and Isleworth.

David Giles ● 6014d

And there was me thinking you might be posting to disassociate yourself from the sentiments expressed by Dickie B.

Phil Andrews ● 6014d

She lost her seat. That's good. Move on.

Ian Silver ● 5998d

Agreed.

David Giles ● 5994d

So why bump the thread?

Robin Taylor ● 5994d