Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Esther Rantzen to throw her hat into the ring at Luton South


Dear All

Years ago, TV presenter Esther Rantzen was the presenter of a TV show called, ‘That’s life’.

She is now embarking on a new career; she will run for Parliament at the next general election expected in 2010.

The seat she is trying to win is the Luton South seat of outgoing Labour MP Margaret Moran.

Ms. Moran claimed she needed to get her partner’s house fixed up because she needed a family life.

In other words we paid circa £22k for the treatment of dry rot so she could get shagged.

Ms Rantzen appears to think that standing for Parliament would be an "adventure", yes it is very entertaining but when the fanfare is over, its you and your voters concerns that are left.

Ms Rantzen feels that the welcome and support she received in Luton has been enough to persuade her to stand.

As an independent it is very difficult to get elected because she doesn’t have a party machine behind her and she acknowledges how hard a task it is by saying;

"Political experts have told me I would be crazy to stand, that I haven't a hope in hell, that it will lead to humiliation and embarrassment on my part but the people have said: 'Go for it'."

Well at least she understands the task.

And has a sense of humour;

She added she was "old enough, ugly enough and tough enough to stand a bit of humiliation" should she lose.

Quite so madam!

The Tories appear upset in the form of Nigel Huddleston, the PPC who is due to fight the contest.

He is obviously rattled;

"That Ms Rantzen continues to be so interested in Luton - where she has no apparent links and even though Margaret Moran is standing down - has surprised many Lutonians".

He will probably be thinking if she splits the vote he might not get in!

He goes on to protest;

"If you're going to stand as an anti-sleaze candidate, surely it would make most sense to stand against an actual wrongdoer. They are hardly in short supply."
Nigel, you’re a Tory that’s enough reason for her to stand.

So; I think Ms Rantzen can expect the Tories to go through her life with a fine tooth comb and attempt to rubbish her.

Still, it is her buck and if she wants to stand then good luck to her.

It makes the contest have a novelty value and will attract media interest.

If she wins, next morning both she and Luton South are in for a hell of a shock.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

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