Joe Hall - Independent - Luton South

Independent candidates are contesting this election in their droves. Not only that they are also in various groupings and some constituencies are getting more than one serious Independent standing.

Luton South is one consituency in particular. Esther Rantzen is contesting this seat as is Joe Hall, a Luton born and bred charity professional. That makes two charity professionals in the field. Given the electoral system only really recognises a voter as being either "a little Conservative or a little Liberal", crowded fields tend to give skewed results. That said, the electorate currently is in a "plague on both your houses" mood and Joe Hall has as much chance as Esther in achieving a good result. It may not be a win, but it will be interesting to see who the eventual winner is in Luton South. Must be a bookmaker's nightmare and a pollster's conundrum.

I give Joe Hall's Campaign Site a Voter Friendly 6/10 for Election Information

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A tale of two Gary Walkers

One Gary Walker is standing in Lincoln as a independent, after being sacked from his NHS job. Now I find another Gary Walker who lives in Lincoln Nebraska decided in 2005 to make a stand about people smoking in his diner. Maybe there's another Gary Walker somewhere in yet another Lincoln who is making a stand?

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Gary Walker - Independent - Lincoln

This election is producing an interesting crop of serious candidates standing as independents. One such is Gary Walker in Lincoln. His campaign is based primarily on the health service (having spent 22 years in the NHS) but he also concentrates on the scandals in politics generally. He tells voters via his campaign website, “I will represent you and fight for what matters to you. In the coming weeks you have the chance to give Lincoln a completely new exciting future, free from party politics.”

It is always difficult to know how much a candidate like Mr. Walker can affect the outcome in a particular constituency. Lincoln, though, has "form" when it comes to voting, especially with the backing of Dick Taverne as a Democratic Labour MP in 1973.

I give Gary Walker's Campaign Site a Voter Friendly 7/10 for Election Information.

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That's Life! Margaret Moran

Margaret Moran, the Labour MP for Luton South, who went as far south as Southampton to talk tommy rot about dry rot, may be challenged at the next election by Esther Rantzen. "If the voters think it's worthwhile and they want me, here I am". Esther is obviously answering the call from Martin Bell that people rise up and stand as independents.

The next election will act as a clearout rather like a spring cleaning excercise. Esther will probably not be the last to declare. More are waiting in the wings.

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