Ricky Tomlinson to stand for parliament?

Ricky Tomlinson has announced that he is considering standing as an MP in the general election.

The Royle Family star told the Liverpool Daily Post that if selected, he will become a candidate for the Socialist Labour party in the Liverpool Wavertree constituency.

Tomlinson explained that he had made the move after the Labour party decided to ask Luciana Berger, who lives in London, to contest the seat.

"This woman that they have parachuted in from London could not even answer some easy questions about Liverpool," he said. "People say... you could be letting the Tories in. But there is no difference between the Conservatives and New Labour."

He continued: "If I get nominated, it would be an awful cut in wages. But I just think the state of British politics is abhorrent. I have got a lot of time and respect for [Liverpool Labour leader] Joe Anderson. I just can't understand why they have picked someone from London. It just does not make sense to me."

Tomlinson also revealed that if he is selected as the Socialist Labour candidate his slogan will be "Berger, my arse" as a tribute to his television character Jim Royle.

A final decision on whether Tomlinson will stand will be made at a party meeting next week.