Lib Dems call for Ann Keen to resign from government over Heathrow

12.00.00am GMT Wed 27th Feb 2008

Cllr Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, this week called on local MP Ann Keen to publicly signal that she will resign from the Labour government over Heathrow Airport Expansion

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats and Parliamentary Candidate, this week called for local MP Ann Keen to publicly signal that she will resign from the Labour government if the Department for Transport do not start listening to local peoples' views on Heathrow Airport Expansion. In in a letter to the MP he said "this would have a real impact and plainly alert the Prime Minister to the public discontent and fears around this impending decision." Cllr Dakers also challenged the ability of Conservative candidate Ms Macleod to represent the constituency any better if she joined a Conservative government supporting Heathrow expansion.

In his letter to Ann Keen, Cllr Dakers wrote:

"...the question on many peoples lips is whether you will follow in the footsteps of your esteemed and sadly departed colleague Robin Cook and publicly signal your potential (and if necessary actual) resignation from the government at a point where this could have an impact and plainly alert the Prime Minister to the public discontent and fears around this impending decision."

Cllr Dakers, added:

"I, as with the rest of the local community, have suffered increasingly sleepless nights due to the growth in flights. It is time for Ann Keen to carefully consider this option that remains open to her and start providing a real voice for her constituents' interests."

At a public meeting in Isleworth Working Mens Club on Heathrow Expansion Cllr Dakers also challenged Conservative parliamentary candidate Mary Macleod. When asked to publicly commit to not joining a Conservative government that supported Heathrow Expansion (in the hypothetical scenario in which she bet Cllr Dakers!) Ms Macleod refused. Ms Macleod claimed she would be far more influential at the heart of a Conservative government.

Cllr Dakers responded:

"This is absolute tosh. Clearly Ms Macleod, if elected, would be the same compromised MP as Ann Keen, forever being whipped to vote through government legislation and thus unable to speak up for her constituents in a meaningful way. Given this is now clear, I urge local residents to vote for a strong voice against Heathrow Expansion at the next general election, my Liberal Democrat voice."