UKIP and Conservatives fast off the mark in Feltham by-election

The UK Independence Party and the Conservatives have both announced their candidates for the Feltham and Heston by-election next month.

Mark Bowen and Andrew Charalambous are both contesting Feltham & Heston.

Following the death of Alan Keen MP, who passed away aged 73 earlier this month, Parliament moved a writ to hold a by-election in the Hounslow constituency.

Standing for the Conservatives is Mark Bowen, who fought the seat in both 2005 and 2010.

Bowen is leader of the Conservative group on Hounslow Borough Council. Commenting on his selection, Bowen said it was a “privilege” to be the Conservative candidate.

“Having lived in the constituency for the past 13 years, it really is a great honour and I am extremely proud of my local area,” he said. “I have been a councillor for the last 9 years and have fought the last two general elections as the Conservative Candidate.”

Meanwhile, UKIP’s housing spokesman, Andrew Charalambous, will contest the seat for the anti-EU party.

Charalambous, 39, is a London-based property developer. Last year he stood as a Conservative Party candidate in Edmonton. He said: “It is a great honour to be standing for UKIP and I will use every bit of I energy I possess to campaign tirelessly to give UKIP its first MP in Westminster. I have stood for parliament before and I know the effort required. Previously, I stood as a Conservative, but that party has let everybody down which is why I am now standing for UKIP.”

The by-election will be held on 15th December. At the time of writing no other major party has declared its candidates.

Feltham Labour MP dies of cancer

Labour MP Alan Keen has lost his battle with cancer and died aged 73.

An MP for Feltham and Heston since 1992 is well known for his passion for football and worked as a scout before joining politics.

He was chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on football and a member of the commons, culture, media and sports committee.

Mr Keen was half of the parliamentary husband and wife team with British Labour MP Ann Keen. However they hit the headlines and were dubbed ‘Mr and Mrs Expenses’ when they were caught to be claiming House of Commons expenses on a second home. They were told to repay £1,500.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown led the tributes to the long-serving Labour MP, saying: “Alan was a great MP locally popular, diligent London MP, and a great fighter for local causes.”

His personal welcome message on his website says: “If you need my help – please do not hesitate to contact me in my Westminster office.”

Mr Keen served in the British Army for three years before joining the fire protecting industry, and later worked for Middlesborough FCC for 18 years.

He was a member of Hounslow Borough council from 1986-1990 before entering Parliament in 1992.