David Cameron’s call for the deselection of Tory MPs caught up in the expenses scandal is being ignored by local parties.

A survey of constituency chairmen and agents by The Times found that almost all are standing by their discredited MPs, in spite of the party leader’s attempt to respond to public anger.

Our findings suggest that the party may suffer an electoral penalty if voters remain determined to punish MPs blamed for abusing the expenses system at the next election. There is growing concern that voters will turn to minority parties and independent candidates or stay at home on polling day.

One Tory MP did fall on his sword. Douglas Hogg, who was criticised for claiming for the cleaning of his moat, said that he was making clear his intention to stand down at the general election to give his constituency party in Lincolnshire time to select a new candidate.

Mr Hogg, who is also Viscount Hailsham, said: “I entirely understand the public anger that has erupted over expenses. The current system is deeply flawed. We parliamentarians have got it wrong and I apologise for that failure, which is both collective and personal.”

But one day after Mr Cameron told local parties that they should deselect MPs they regard as unsuitable, only one other local party contacted failed to express support for its MP. Heather Burwin, the chairman of Totnes Conservative Association, whose MP is Antony Steen, said that a decision on his future would be taken on Friday.

More typical was Vivienne Chapman, the deputy chairman of Surrey Heath Conservatives, Michael Gove’s constituency. Mr Gove has been forced to repay more than £7,000 that he spent furnishing his house in north Kensington.

Ms Chapman said: “Michael is an extremely hard worker in this constituency and very well regarded by the constituents. He’s one of those people with the highest integrity and honesty. I think he was the first MP to hold a public meeting and people felt that he had given honest answers.”

In Bracknell, where Andrew MacKay was forced to resign as Mr Cameron’s Commons aide over his second homes claims, the local association said that as far as deselection was concerned “nothing could be farther” from their minds.

Mary Ballin, Mr MacKay’s agent, said: “He has been an outstanding MP over the last 26 years and the association and his constituents know it.”

Christian Mitchell, the chairman of Horsham Conservative Association, told The Times that activists were “right behind” Francis Maude, who claimed almost £35,000 in two years for mortgage interest payments on a London flat when he owned a house just a few hundred yards away.

“Francis had already given an explanation of it to the association, which we had heard and accepted.”

David Davis, a former Shadow Home Secretary, spent more than £10,000 of taxpayers’ money on home improvements in four years, including a £5,700 portico at his home in Yorkshire. Yesterday his local Conservative association chairman, Helen Gilmour, said that “not a single person has been in touch” regarding Mr Davis’s expenses. “We have no problems whatsover with Mr Davis.”

Ken Pollock, chairman of West Worcestershire Conservative Association, was similarly supportive of his MP, Sir Michael Spicer, who claimed £620 for the installation of a chandelier and rewiring work, according to The Daily Telegraph. Mr Pollock said he had complete faith that Sir Michael had not done anything wrong. “He will repay any sums, should they be found to be unjustified.”

Rumours were circulating that Totnes Conservative Association was to deselect Anthony Steen, a Tory “grandee”, who is reported to have claimed tens of thousands of pounds for a country mansion, including work on 500 trees.

The broadcaster Esther Rantzen paid a visit to Luton yesterday and said that she was “80 per cent on” to stand for election there. Ms Rantzen, 68, is considering a challenge to Margaret Moran, Labour’s Luton South MP, who claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot at her partner’s home in Southampton, 100 miles away. Ms Moran agreed to repay the money.

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