Luton South

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Luton South is a true bellwether seat. It swings with the Government - and has done so in every election since the Second World War. Between 1979 and 1997 Graham Bright represented the constituency for the Conservative Party.  Since 1997 the seat has been held by Labour.

The sitting MP, Margaret Moran, announced she was stepping down after being criticised for the Daily Telegraph for claiming £22,000 in expenses to treat dry rot in her second home. The TV personality Esther Rantzen had declared her intention to challenge Moran as an independent candidate.

Current MP

Margaret Moran (Labour)
Margaret, who has been the Labour MP since 1997, has announced she will be standing down at the 2010 general election due to controversy over her expenses claims.  She claimed £22,000 to treat dry rot in her second home.

Candidates

Nigel Huddleston (Conservative)
Born in Lincoln in 1970, Nigel was educated at Robert Pattinson Comprehensive School and Oxford University and is a Management consultant.

Gavin Shuker (Labour)
Born in Luton and educated at Icknield High School and Cambridge University, Gavin runs a local church.

Qurban Hussain (Liberal Democrat)
Educated at Bedford College and Luton University, Qurban is a former Labour councillor, who defected to the Liberal Democrats in 2003. He is a Luton councillor and contested Luton South in 2005.

Marc Scheimann (Green)  
Educated at St Columba’s College, Marc is a Computer consultant. A former councillor, he contested Luton South 1997, 2001 and 2005.

Charles Lawman (UKIP)
Charles contested Luton South in 2001 and 2005.

Tony Blankley (BNP)

Esther Rantzen (Independent)
Born in Berkhampsted in 1940, Esther was educated at North London Collegiate School and Oxford University. A television producer and presenter, she is most famous for presenting That's Life from 1973 to 1994. Esther is a founder of the charity Childline and was was appointed CBE in 2006 for services to children.

Stephen Lathwell (Independent)
Born in Luton and educated at Bedford Modern School and University of Hertfordshire, Stephen is an Innovation Engineer.

Joe Hall (Independent)
Born in Luton and educated at Icknield High and Oxford University, Joe formerly worked for Save the Children.

Stephen Rhodes (Independent)
Born in Dublin, Stephen is a former radio presenter.

2005 Results

Conservative: 10,960 (28.2%)
Labour: 16,610 (42.7%)
Liberal Democrat: 8,778 (22.6%)
Green: 790 (2%)
UKIP: 957 (2.5%)
Other: 823 (2.1%)
Majority: 5,650 (14.5%)