Expenses debate described as 'political trick' (From Your Local Guardian)

Expenses debate described as 'political trick'

4:44pm Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

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Ann Keen MP has been accused of “arrogance” for not meeting her constituents face-to-face in a debate about parliamentary expenses.

The Brentford and Isleworth MP turned down an invitation to the independently-chaired public meetings.

Councillor Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, called for Mrs Keen and her husband Alan Keen, MP for Feltham and Heston, to re-pay the mortgage interest they have charged taxpayers for their second home in central London.

He told an audience of more than 30 people in Isleworth town hall last night that it was “wholly unacceptable” that the Thames-side apartment was such a short distance from Brentford.

But John Murphy, an audience member, said he believed there was a danger the expenses scandal could turn into a “witch hunt". Isleworth Councillor Phil Andrews replied: “Maybe I sound a bit hard, a bit un-Christian, but they were invited to come and participate in this meeting, and as elected representatives I find it appalling that they are not prepared to come and talk to their constituents.

“You should never claim for anything you are not prepared to justify.”

Conservative Councillor Adrian Lee claimed Mrs Keen was effectively “unknown” in her constituency because she no longer holds regular advice surgeries.

John Hunt, Green Party parliamentary candidate, added: “It’s a pity that Ann Keen can not be here because if we come out with any detailed proposals as to what we might do, it’s always good to have an inside opinion.”

Hazel Dakers, another audience member, said: “I still think people should be in politics for their ideals and wanting to achieve things for people in the community.”

Panel members and residents debated MPs and Lords’ expenses, parliamentary reform and the Sustainable Communities Act at the meeting last night.

There are further meetings tonight at Montague Hall, Hounslow, at St Paul’s Church, Brentford, tomorrow and Chiswick Town Hall on Thursday.

A spokesman for Mrs Keen said the meetings were a “political trick".

He said: "These meetings are nothing more than a typical Lib Dem stunt arranged by Councillor Dakers to raise his flagging profile. Any pretence that this was a neutral debate about democracy and reform is completely undermined by his advert, which childishly proposed putting Mrs Keen in the ‘stocks’. “While Coun Dakers and the usual suspects indulge in their petty games, Mrs Keen continues to undertake her ministerial duties and make representations on behalf of her constituents. "It is interesting too that Coun Dakers appears to be reneging on his council duties by missing his area committee meeting to take part in this shameless exercise.” He added: “When it comes to the crunch, when the work needs to be done, Mrs Keen can be counted on to be there for the people of Brentford and Isleworth. The same cannot be said of Coun Dakers who clearly feels that his political posturing is more important than carrying out important council duties.”