Martin Bell in bid to oust Vaz and Duncan at next election
Self-styled anti-sleaze campaigner Martin Bell has launched a search for candidates to stand against MPs Keith Vaz and Alan Duncan at the next election.
Both Leicestershire MPs were the subject of widespread criticism in the recent MPs' expenses row. Mr Bell, the former BBC foreign affairs correspondent and one-time Independent MP for Tatton, said: "I think it could work, we just need to find the right candidates".
He has already spoken to two local people – one in Leicester East and one in Melton and Rutland. Both are now considering standing.
Nationally, Mr Bell wants to target seats whose MPs had the highest profiles during the expenses scandal. He has not said how many seats his Independent Network group plans to fight. Leicester East MP Mr Vaz was criticised for his expenses claims, which included claiming £75,000 expenses on a flat in Westminster, despite his family home being just 12 miles from Parliament, and spending £480 of taxpayers' money on silk cushions.
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He later paid back expenses he had claimed to furnish his city home.
Mr Duncan, MP for Melton and Rutland, was criticised for claiming more than £4,000 on his garden. He apologised and paid back the money.
When the expenses story broke, both MPs stressed that all their claims were within the parliamentary rules.
MPs returned to the Commons earlier this month after a three-month break.
A lot of MPs have now received letters from Sir Thomas Legg, who has been conducting an inquiry into the expenses scandal.
Many are being asked to pay back some of their claims.
Mr Bell said: "I think people are still very angry and they want change. My suggestion is that we need to do something to bring about that change."
Alan Duncan has a majority of 12,900 in Melton and Rutland. In Leicester East, Keith Vaz has a 15,800 majority.
Mr Bell claimed: "I think we're in a situation now, after the expenses scandal, where no seat is safe. Our political system is undergoing a transformation.
"Ideally, the two Independent candidates for Leicester East and Melton and Rutland should be local, well-known people and not of the political class.''
The Mercury understands that one of the people Mr Bell has been speaking to is a retired professional woman, who lives in Leicester East, who is considering standing against Keith Vaz.
Mr Bell said he wanted people to write to the Mercury and also get in touch with the Independent Network – www.independentnetwork.org.uk.
We invited Alan Duncan and Keith Vaz to comment. Mr Duncan declined. Mr Vaz's office said they would call us back but did not respond by the time we went to press.
Comments
by Graeme Peene, Leicester
Thursday, October 15 2009, 12:37PM
“The problem with Keith VAZ is that he pretends to be all things to all men, women, and all faiths particularly when it is or can be of benefit to himself.
Anyone who knows him, or has had any dealings with him, as I have, soon realises that he has friends in high office who, at times, appear to have gone to inordinate lengths to protect, defend or not challenge him. His masters appear to have adopted the policy of not seeing, speaking or hearing any evil where he is concerned.
Why are they so blind so as not to see him for what he really is, or is it that they all out the same mould. Sadly the answer must be yes.
Notwithstanding this Keith VAZ is always willing to raise his profile in the Leicester Mercury by turning up for a photo opportunity to champion the latest cause he purports to be supporting on behalf of his constituents. However, no sooner than the camera lens cover been replaced he is gone.
He very adept at attempting to interfer with the due process of law. This has been well reported in the media, he writes to Government Bodies or Officials asking them to intervene on behalf of friends or seeking information in relation to confidential criminal investigations.
On the rare occasion that his conduct has been subject to challenge, if it has been dealt with at all, it has been half heartedly, and he like all other politicians resort denial or obfuscation.
If anyone wants to have a clearer understanding of Keith VAZ they should go to the internet and spend sometime reading the Filkin Report / House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges. COMPLAINTS AGAINST MR KEITH VAZ.
It would appear that everyone apart from Mr VAZ is wrong, but most certainly it will take longer to read than the three minutes he allows his constituents in Leicester East to discuss their problem(s).
Constituents in Leicester East should wake up, see him for what he really is and ensure that he is not returned to parliament for another 4 years.
Graeme.”
by Chris Garland, Leicester East
Thursday, October 15 2009, 10:54AM
“The main problem within Leicester East is the local City Council which has totally neglected it, whilst it has thrown money at things like the Curve and projects to the West of the city in Braunstone and New Parks. No new Swimming Pool, Sports or Community Hall for us in the East.
The University Halls of residence at Scraptoft have been left empty for years, as even the DMU doesn't want to redevelop to the East of the city.
At the same time as getting zero response from both my local (Labour) Councilors, Mr Vaz's office at least replied to say he would look into my comments.
In the last Election both the Torys and LibDems put up candidates from outside the area (London & Oxford), the LibDem didn't even visit the city and wouldn't go on the local radio for a debate ... not people you can vote for. I do at least see Mr Vaz 'in the area' and not just in the paper.”
by Mark, Leicester
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 2:56PM
“Politics: from the Latin "poly" - meaning many, and Tics, - tiny parasitic blood-sucking insects.”
by Graham Lewin, Leicester East
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 2:31PM
“I too have met with the oily Vaz. A thoroughly rude and obnoxious man who has ignored two of my letters, and yes I am one of his 'beloved constituents who come before his family'. I fervently hope will be ousted in the next election. Right on Martin Bell!”
by Da Fantazmagazzles, southall
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 1:40PM
“VAZ YOUR DAY`S ARE NUMBERED MATE JUST QUIT B4 YOU`RE MADE A FOOL OF.”
by R, Leicester East
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 12:28PM
“Great News! How do we contact Martin Bell to offer our support?”
by Miss Gibson, leicester
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 12:24PM
“I have had the unfortunate opportunity to meet Mr Vaz. He is rude, arrogant and is quick to forget who voted him into his position, I will vote for anyone else as long as he does not get in again.”
by Avtar, Oadby
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 11:32AM
“Matt, Leicester; the reason Vaz keeps getting re-elected is because we do not live in a true democracy but in a 2 party state and if you vote for anyone other than Labour or Conservative your vote is wasted. So the votes for Vaz are actually votes for Labour in a safe Labour seat. Until we have real democracy this sad state of affairs will remain.”
by Josef, Leicester
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 11:30AM
“At least with independents they can represent the local area rather than just toe the party line......Goodl uck to him thats all I can say, it's time that joker Vaz was out!”
by S Barton, Leicester
Wednesday, October 14 2009, 11:27AM
“Theproblem with independent candidates is they are not subject to any party discipline. At least with a party member we know what to expect. How do we know what they might support in office that was never mentioned in their manifesto. Being against sleaze and corruption isn't enough, I'd hope all the candidates are. I'd want to know what they are for not what they are against.”