Alan Keen 'not active' in lobbying Government

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st Jul 2002

Feltham and Heston's Labour MP Alan Keen has been criticised for failing to lobby effectively on behalf of Hounslow.

A report by Assistant Chief Executive - Finance Alan Steele before the Committee of the Council on Tuesday night (July 30) outlined the challenges faced by Hounslow in the next round of council funding.

Among problems such as the government favouring the north of England over London, and the unhelpfulness of John Prescott, it painted a picture of the borough's two MPs as inefficient and ineffective.

The report warned: "The ALG will again be leading the London campaign on the RSG, particularly involving London MPs. Hounslow's MPs are not stated by the ALG to have been previously active in this work area and it is essential for Hounslow and London that they actively argue the Hounslow / London case."

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson Andy Darley, who attended the meeting, said: "Alan Keen has gone a long way on being the sort of affable person you could go for a drink or attend a football match with. Unfortunately, Hounslow needs more than that right now.

"He must urgently convince the government that the borough is in need of a fair settlement next year if the people of Feltham and Heston are not to be faced with another budget of worse services and higher council tax."