A councillor standing in the next general election has pledged to donate his future council allowance to a youth charity if he is elected MP.

Gerry Ryan, the Labour candidate for Croydon Central and Selhurst ward councillor, has said he will donate his £1,000 monthly allowance to the Crystal Palace Youth Trust for sporting and anti-crime activities, if re-elected councillor.

He said: “While I am prepared to carry out the work of a Member of Parliament and an elected Councillor, I have made it clear in my literature to date that I am keen to see politics cleaned up in the aftermath of the expenses issue.

“Taking two sources of income does not sit easily with me.”

Coun Ryan made the pledge after a debate at Trinity School between the four candidates standing for Croydon Central, Coun Gavin Barwell, for the Conservatives, Peter Lambell from the Liberal Democrats and Bernice Golberg from the Green Party.

Coun Barwell, also cabinet member for safety and cohesion, has already stepped down as councillor for Coulsdon West and is staking everything on his bid to become MP.

He said: “I am standing down as councillor. I don’t think you can do two jobs at once.”

During the debate, the four candidates discussed rebuilding trust in MPs following the expenses scandal.

Coun Barwell said MPs need to be honest about their expenses and transparent in publishing their claims and receipts. He pledged to stay in touch with local people by work shadowing in local schools and businesses to make sure he keeps in touch with what residents want.

He also said: “Whoever is the next government is going to have to raise tax significantly, we are running a massive deficit.”

Coun Ryan defended Labour’s financial policy during the recession and said nothing should be done to disturb the “fragile” recovery of the economy.

Healthcare and crime were two of the main topics in the debate.

Coun Barwell spoke about the speculation surrounding the cutting of A&E services at Mayday Hospital and said decisions on healthcare should be made at a local rather than a regional level.

All four candidates spoke of the need to reduce crime in Croydon. Peter Lambell and Bernice Golberg were in favour of decriminilising drugs to help cut down in burglary and muggings.

Mrs Golberg, who has a clinical background working in the NHS, said: “People who are addicts will have that treated as a health problem.” She also said bus conductors should be reintroduced so people feel safer.

Both Coun Barwell and Coun Ryan spoke of the need for early intervention in getting young people out of gangs and a life of crime.

All four candidates agreed it looks likely we will have both a national and a local election on May 6.

Mr Lambell said he was looking forward to the prospect of a hung parliament with Liberal Democrat MP Vince Cable as a “capable Chancellor”.

He said: “It’s about time we had a government that listens to more than one point of view. ”