Page last updated at 10:44 GMT, Wednesday, 7 April 2010 11:44 UK

Luton South candidates pledge to restore image of MPs

Ms Moran is not standing in the general election

Candidates standing for the Luton South seat have pledged to restore the image of MPs tarnished by its previous member Labour MP Margaret Moran.

Ms Moran is being investigated for claiming £22,500 on expenses for treating dry rot in her Southampton home - 90 miles from her constituency.

She was later caught telling a lobbyist she was available to work for them, while telling constituents she was ill.

Ms Moran has told a newspaper she is still recovering from an illness.

She is not standing in the general election.

Ms Moran, who was secretly filmed telling an undercover reporter for Channel 4's Dispatches programme she was available for work, has been unavailable to comment on the matter to the BBC.

The actions of Ms Moran have prompted a number of independents to stand for the seat including television presenter Esther Rantzen.

'Behaviour indefensible'

But all the candidates have pledged to help restore faith in Parliament.

Labour candidate Gavin Shuker said: "Obviously the next MP for Luton has a challenge on their hands. I will have no second home, no second job.

"On the day I was selected I made clear her [Margaret Moran's] behaviour was indefensible. The Labour Party has made it clear that she should never stand again as an MP."

Conservative candidate Nigel Huddleston said he aimed to help restore faith in Parliament by being a "good, responsive, hard-working MP".

Mr Huddleston also said he would support any moves to allow electorates to recall MPs who they do not believe are doing a good job. "I am 100% certain there will be moves in the next Parliament to do this," he said.

Liberal Democrat candidate Qurban Hussain said: "The expenses scandal was simply outrageous. It undermined public trust in our elected officials and showed our political system in Westminster to be open to corruption.

"When our lawmakers are doing something so indefensible, could we trust them? What was more shocking through was how the Labour and Conservative Party refused to back Lib Dem plans to give local people the right to sack their MPs."

Independent candidate Esther Rantzen said: "I think what the most recent revelations underline is the disgraceful situation of an MP who is simply not doing her work in the constituency or Westminster.

"Officially she is off sick but she was caught on camera in the Channel 4 documentary declaring herself available for work."

'Adequate salary'

Marc Scheimann, the Green Party candidate, said the image of Parliament could be cleaned up by having fixed-term parliaments and allowing MPs to be recalled.

"It is bizarre that we cannot get rid of MPs, such as our own Margaret Moran. MPs need to be held to account."

Charles Lawman (UK Independence Party candidate) said: "I consider the MP's salary not only adequate but quite generous. I would not claim any expenses."

Mr Lawman said UKIP was in favour of having local referendums to help give people a voice in important issues and one might be to express an opinion on MPs.

Independent candidate Stephen Rhodes said: "I would act with honesty and integrity throughout.

"There should be a way of sacking those people, as it would happen in other industries," he said.

'Fair and visible'

Independent candidate Joe Hall said: "I believe we need a better kind of politics, where MPs stand for the things they believe in and the people they represent.

"The only way we can change politics is from the inside, so I've given up my job and am living on the few savings I have to run my campaign."

Stephen Lathwell, another independent candidate, said: "It's all about accountability. The whole system of expenses should be open, fair and visible."

He believes expenses should be means-tested and MPs seeking expenses should be treated like people seeking social security benefits.

Tony Blakey, the British National Party candidate, said: "I'm also appalled that at a time when there is record unemployment and many families are suffering through Labour's recession, out-of-touch MPs are milking their expenses.

"It's time for change; it's time to ensure that common sense and decency are brought back into British politics."

• The candidates so far confirmed for Luton South: Conservative: Nigel Huddleston; Labour: Gavin Shuker; Lib Dem: Qurban Hussain; Green: Marc Scheimann; UK Independence Party: Charles Lawman; Independent: Esther Rantzen; Independent: Stephen Rhodes; Independent: Joe Hall; Independent: Stephen Lathwell; BNP: Tony Blakey.