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Waite considers Parliamentary bid Waite considers Parliamentary bid
(about 17 hours later)
Terry Waite, the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Beirut hostage, has said he is "seriously" thinking of standing for Parliament.Terry Waite, the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Beirut hostage, has said he is "seriously" thinking of standing for Parliament.
Parliament needed radical reform after the expenses scandal and the election of a number of independent MPs could "assist" the process, Mr Waite said.Parliament needed radical reform after the expenses scandal and the election of a number of independent MPs could "assist" the process, Mr Waite said.
But he said he had "reservations" about the media attention such a move could attract and the impact on his family.But he said he had "reservations" about the media attention such a move could attract and the impact on his family.
Several high-profile figures outside politics have said they may stand.Several high-profile figures outside politics have said they may stand.
'Fit for our times''Fit for our times'
TV personality Esther Rantzen has indicated she will stand against Labour MP Margaret Moran, who has been criticised for claiming £22,500 for treating dry rot, in her Luton constituency if she does not stand down.TV personality Esther Rantzen has indicated she will stand against Labour MP Margaret Moran, who has been criticised for claiming £22,500 for treating dry rot, in her Luton constituency if she does not stand down.
Daily Telegraph journalist Simon Heffer has threatened to stand against Conservative MP Sir Alan Haselhurst unless he apologises for claiming thousands of pounds for gardening work.Daily Telegraph journalist Simon Heffer has threatened to stand against Conservative MP Sir Alan Haselhurst unless he apologises for claiming thousands of pounds for gardening work.
And Martin Bell, who was elected on an anti-sleaze ticket in 1997, has said he does not rule out having another tilt at Parliament.And Martin Bell, who was elected on an anti-sleaze ticket in 1997, has said he does not rule out having another tilt at Parliament.
Mr Waite acknowledged that independent MPs have had difficulty making much of an impact on Parliament in the past.Mr Waite acknowledged that independent MPs have had difficulty making much of an impact on Parliament in the past.
A handful of strong independent MPs can valuably assist the reform process Terry Waite FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
But he said it might be different this time as, in the wake of the furore over MP's expenses, "reform is in the air".But he said it might be different this time as, in the wake of the furore over MP's expenses, "reform is in the air".
"The party system has to be shaken up and radically overhauled," he told the BBC News Channel."The party system has to be shaken up and radically overhauled," he told the BBC News Channel.
Not every MP was a "villain", Mr Waite stressed, and there were plenty of good members of Parliament.Not every MP was a "villain", Mr Waite stressed, and there were plenty of good members of Parliament.
But the fallout from the expenses scandal offered a great opportunity to shape a Parliament which was "fit for our times" and "fit for our country".But the fallout from the expenses scandal offered a great opportunity to shape a Parliament which was "fit for our times" and "fit for our country".
"A handful of strong independent MPs could valuably assist the reform process," he added."A handful of strong independent MPs could valuably assist the reform process," he added.
The Conservatives have reopened their parliamentary candidates list in the wake of the expenses row and appealed to anyone interested in representing the party to come forward.The Conservatives have reopened their parliamentary candidates list in the wake of the expenses row and appealed to anyone interested in representing the party to come forward.