In his book, An Accidental MP, which will be launched in Knutsford next week, the former BBC reporter said his constituents deserved their place in history.

"Let me state my conviction that 29,254 of the electors of Tatton did not fail when they voted as they did on that remarkable May Day in 1997," he said.

"Their good sense, and that of millions of others like them, is the best guarantee the country has of honesty and democracy."

His book records the days before and after his historic victory over sleaze-tainted Tory Neil Hamilton.

Mr Bell describes his three years in Westminster as the highlight of his career, but attacks the current state of British politics.

He calls Prime Minister's Question Time a disgrace and admits he sometimes went 'AWOL' during the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions.

"And when I turned up I would sometimes leave early in utter despair and dismay," he said.

"It damaged my faith in democracy."

When Martin Bell was elected in 1997 he was the first Independent MP for 47 years.

In his book he said there were benefits to being a one-man band and his more 'considerate' style of politics.

But he confesses to making mistakes over the past three years and that at first he did not know what he was doing.

"I felt like a mariner at sea without a compass or a chart or even a destination," he said.

"I have made mistakes by voting in haste, in error or with insufficient knowledge of the issue."

Mr Bell will launch his book at a private party at the Royal George Hotel, Knutsford, on September 7.

The following day he will be signing copies at Jardines bookshop in King Street at 11am. The book costs £16.99.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.