In an extraordinary joint press statement released by Ann and Alan Keen, MPs for Brentford & Isleworth and Feltham & Heston respectively, the couple claim to have had a 'partial victory' in the fight to halt plans for a third runway and further expansion at Heathrow.
The statement comes days after transport secretary Geoff Hoon announced the Government's plans to allow a third runway to be built at Heathrow, in the House of Commons on January 15.
It claims the decision to keep runway alternation means there will be 'no increase in noise pollution' for residents.
What the Government's not so keen to tell us is that the levels of noise BAA would have to adhere to are based on figures which include the noise from Concorde when it was still flying, which is equivalent to 150 planes per day.
Furthermore, Alan Keen, speaking for both MPs, claimed: "This is the first major refusal the Government has ever made to the industry and it's a major one. It's a fantastic victory."
He continues by saying: "We have put our arguments, and those of our constituents, against the expansion of Heathrow and its operations directly to the Prime Minister and the secretaries of state. This result on mixed mode is proof that they have listened."
However, residents in Cranford had very little to celebrate as there was no such victory for them when Mr Hoon also announced he would be ending the Cranford Agreement, which is a 'gentleman's' agreement dating back to 1952 and meant that, wherever possible, aircraft would not take off in an easterly direction from the northern runway as it is so close to residential properties.
The Keens do not appear to have commented on this issue in their statement.
However, in the House of Commons, at around the same time as Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell was being escorted off the premises for removing the ceremonial mace in an act of passionate protest against Mr Hoon's decision, Alan Keen had this to say: "Even though the Cranford agreement is going, which I am sad about, that will at least benefit the constituents in Maidenhead,Windsor and places like that. We have to give and take on such issues."
We must also give a thought to the people of Sipson, the village that will be razed by the bulldozers in order to facilitate the third runway.
While Mr and Mrs Keen were celebrating their victory, the residents of Sipson, who will be doing most of the 'giving' if the third runway is built, were coming to terms with the fact they could be about to lose their homes.
The Independent Community Group remains as committed as ever in its opposition to further expansion of Heathrow and will continue to fight alongside those who share this view.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is looking into the possibility of a legal challenge. The various organisations against Heathrow expansion are no doubt planning their next move and the residents of Sipson remain defiant, with some threatening to chain themselves to the bulldozers if they arrive.
It is also fair to say John McDonnell can expect to receive some sort of hero's welcome when he returns to his constituency.
The same cannot be said for Mr and Mrs Keen. If past experience is anything to go by, we can expect them to lay low for a while in order for the dust to settle.
When they do eventually manage to drag themselves away from their luxury apartment in Westminster and return to their constituencies, they can expect a rather more hostile reception, which, if Alan Keen's recent prediction comes true, will result in them both losing their seats at the next general election. For many that day cannot come too soon.
CLLR PAUL FISHER Independent Community Group, Isleworth Ward.
