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Esther Rantzen bids to become MP
28 Jul 2009Esther 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.
"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 refused to say whether she had been approached by any of the main political parties to stand as their candidate.
"It's a question of whether I have been, and whether I would tell you if I had," she said.
"But I have been a floating voter all my voting life. I am very very aware of my democratic responsibility, and I would find it very difficult to give up that democratic right and follow a whip."
Rantzen will now be starting a "fighting fund" to raise money for her campaign.
She also said she would be attending the friendly football match between Luton Town and Manchester United this evening.
"I will be wearing a Luton hat," she added.
Reader views (8)
Up and down the country people are asking themselves whether putting up independent candidates is the way to break open the corrupt and inbred political culture. Grandstanding by Esther Rantzen is not going to encourage serious people to come forward.
Andy of Surrey seems to remember many comments in Private Eye over the years about Ms Rantzen's fluency with expense sheets.
Not the best person for the job. If a petition of Luton residents had approached her it would be a very different matter.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 28/07/2009 22:40
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So what? At least with Esther one knows what one is getting. Unlike the shifty inmates that lurk in both Houses of Parliament. Go Esther!
- Tinkerbelle, london, 28/07/2009 21:22
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God no anything bar ester rancid she would go to the opening of a fridge if she thought the television company was there
- Anon, leicestershire, 28/07/2009 14:02
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It's a publicity stunt. The talentless old biddy can't stay out of the limelight.
Why would anyone with any sense vote for a "celebrity" to represent them?
- Kerry, Purley, 28/07/2009 13:48
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If she is so desperate to become an MP, why does she not stand for the constituency where she now lives? As it is, she is going to somewhere where she does not know where the schools are or how many hospitals have A & E's. This is basic knowledge if you are to deal with worried parents who can't get their child into the school down the road but have to send them on a forty minute bus ride instead, or if you have to fight central government when it tries to 'improve' the health provision in your area by increasing your journey time to the nearest A & E.
For all we say about MP's and their expenses, a large majority were brought up locally to where they sit and know about catchment area's and Local NHS trusts. Being an MP is about serving your community effectively not massaging your ego. God help the people of Luton if she gets in.
- Neil, London, 28/07/2009 13:42
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god that is all we need an other joker in the pack
- Terry Chambers, London, 28/07/2009 13:20
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Ooh are they going to turn Parliament into 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'? Now that WOULD be fun!
- Roz, France, 28/07/2009 13:19
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At least she will be an expert at making expense claims , she worked at the BBC for decades
Why now? Short of money?
I would not vote for her ever if she wanted to represent my area
- Andy, surrey, 28/07/2009 12:36
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