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Rantzen bids to become MP

By James Tapsfield, Press Association

Tuesday, 28 July 2009

Esther Rantzen announces that she's considering standing as an independent candidate against Labour MP Margaret Moran in Luton South. If you're a high-profile, opinionated woman, it's flattering when members of the public suggest you enter politics and fight on a "sensible" platform. I know, because I've been asked that dozens of times, but I'm realistic enough to realise that I'd make a lousy MP, and so would Esther.

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Esther Rantzen will bid to become MP for Luton South at the next General Election.

Esther Rantzen will bid to become MP for Luton South at the next General Election, she announced today.

The TV presenter said she had decided to stand as an independent despite warnings from political experts that there was "no chance" of victory.

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"This is an exciting and slightly petrifying new step for me," she told the Press Association. "There is a feeling in the air that people want a choice.

"We are still feeling, all of us, angry and distressed about the expenses scandal."

Rantzen has been weighing up whether to stand on an anti-sleaze ticket since sitting Labour MP Margaret Moran was embroiled in controversy over her Commons allowances.

It emerged in May that she had claimed £22,500 to treat dry rot at a property in Southampton - 100 miles away from her constituency.

Mrs Moran has since announced she will not defend her 5,650 majority at the next General Election.

Rantzen will formally launch her campaign at a press conference in Luton this afternoon.

She said: "Every political pundit tells me I cannot possibly win, Britain never votes for independents.

"All the experts tell me that it is a crazy idea.

"However, the people I meet are unanimous in saying that I should stand."

The former That's Life presenter went on: "I cannot predict how the mood will be when the election actually happens, and I am humble enough to recognise that, when experts tell me I haven't got a chance, they might be right.

"But I hope I could be really good for the people of Luton South."

Rantzen talks to the BBC

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( Leave a comment )
Esther Rantzen & Expenses
[info]jeremy99 wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 10:32 am (UTC)
Rantzen must have a very short memory - or has she 'conveniently' forgotten the row that took place in the BBC many years ago now, about her own expenses claims?
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Re: Esther Rantzen & Expenses
[info]tominlondon wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 10:55 am (UTC)
hmmm - details please?
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Re: Esther Rantzen & Expenses
[info]jeremy99 wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 11:35 am (UTC)
Ask the BBC!!!
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Esther is only the first
[info]tominlondon wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 10:37 am (UTC)
COme on, all you other prospective anti-sleaze candidates! We need an anti-sleaze candidate in every constituency!

(not me though, I'm not well enough)
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Esther Rantzen & Expenses
[info]devadiva wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 11:27 am (UTC)
This just doesn't add up - if Margaret Moran were to stand again, then standing against her on an anti-sleaze ticket would make sense in the same way as Neil Hamilton was unseated by Martin Bell, but who - or what - exactly is Rantzen standing against?
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An Independent?
[info]rhinocircus wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 02:16 pm (UTC)
Normally I would be supportive of any Independent--not this one. She smacks of chutzpah and opportunism.
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Shiny Esther
[info]jimfred wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 02:38 pm (UTC)
Bernard Braden said,"That woman stole my show".
Now,here she is,all these years later,conquering the moral high ground.
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Good for her
[info]kalvisjansons wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 03:34 pm (UTC)
However, this shows just how much we need Mr Brown to go:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/please-go/
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Not in my name
[info]arniesintheshed wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 04:35 pm (UTC)
As a Luton South resident I am extremely angry that I risk having no competent representation in parliament as a result of this clueless right-wing buck-toothed crone's "I'm a Celebrity...Vote Me Into Here" bid for publicity and a pension. Extremely angry. Esther Rantzen - STFU and GTFO.
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BBC Advertising
[info]drg40 wrote:
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 at 09:11 pm (UTC)
Can we expect every candidate that announces their candidacy to get the same overwhelming publicity from the media?

Is it not the case that a candidate's election expenses commence from the day they announce their candidacy and that EVERYTHING must be accounted. Can we therefore expect Rantzen to be charged by Mr Plod under the representation of the people's act, having already wildly overspent her allowance in BBC advertising?


That's why serious candidates don't announce their candidacy until the election has actually be called.

No? But then, meeja people are above the law.

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