Lib Dem challenger to Mrs Expenses pledges change in response to expenses scandal

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 29th Jun 2009

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Brentford and Isleworth Constituency, has pledged to reduce his expenses to a minimum and make expenses claims open and transparent if elected to represent Brentford & Isleworth Constituency

In response to the national expenses scandal that has also enveloped Hounslow's Labour MPs, Alan and Ann Keen, Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Brentford and Isleworth Constituency, has pledged today to reduce his expenses to a minimum and make expenses claims open and transparent if elected to represent Brentford & Isleworth Constituency in the next Parliament.

Amongst the pledges Andrew has committed not to claim London weighting allowance nor any food allowances. He has long pledged not to claim any of the £18k per annum that husband and wife Alan and Ann Keen MP are each claiming as an Additional Costs Allowance.

Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Brentford & Isleworth constituency, said:

"In contrast to the MPs that have exploited the system of parliamentary allowances to subsidise their lifestyles and multiple homes I am committed to rebuilding public confidence in our democracy.

"I believe it is vital that our next MP offers real value for money to the local community and clearly demonstrates that they are seeking election with a deep felt commitment to public service. It is the intention of the 17 pledges I set out today to set new standards for anyone seeking to represent our local area in future."

17 PLEDGES FOR CHANGE

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Cllr Andrew Dakers has pledged that if elected to represent Brentford & Isleworth Constituency in the next Parliament he will:

1. Not to claim any of the £18k per annum that husband and wife Alan and Ann Keen MP are each claiming as an 'Additional Costs Allowance'.

2. Living in the constituency, just 9 miles from the city centre, he will use public transport to go to work -- like thousands of other local residents.

3. Given the current crisis in confidence he has decided to go further in clarifying the value for money he want to bring to the local community: he would not claim the London weighting allowance nor any food allowances.

4. Not employ any family members at public expense.

5. Advertise all publicly-funded jobs in the local papers. All jobs, whether in Westminster or the constituency, will be advertised in the main local Hounslow newspapers. Anyone will be able to apply.

6. Consider all applicants equally for any job. People will be chosen on the the basis of merit, measured against objective job requirements, which I will publish on my website. He will not discriminate based on age, sex, marital status, disability, sexuality, race, colour, or ethnic origin.

7. Publish a list of all employees on his website. He will also publish the salary bill.

8. Publish details of his expenses monthly on his website.

9. Not claim any expenses without a receipt.

10. Get his accounts independently verified.

11. Only claim where he is incurring genuine extra cost at the service of constituents. Even if there are rules that might permit me to claim for groceries and similar items when staying away from home, he won't. He will only claim for costs that are both extra and unavoidable - e.g. travel to conferences/ learning visits out of London.

12. Not accept any gifts, gratuities or entertainment from lobbyists and anyone else who might be seeking to influence his opinion. He would still attend the parliamentary receptions that many charities hold to promote their campaigns, but these would be recorded in the public domain.

13. Open an office in the heart of the constituency.

14. Hold a constituents' surgery in Brentford, Chiswick, Hounslow and Isleworth at least once a month.

15. Send out an Annual Report, including details of his expenses, to every home in the constituency every year.

16. If continuing to sit as a councillor he will either not claim the Councillors' Allowance or will use the allowance to employ a part-time case worker to support his grassroots work in the Brentford ward.

17. Continue to campaign for reform of our democracy.

Related Link:

Also published online at http://takebackpowerhounslow.org/expenses.aspx