'Royle Family' star may standfor Parliament

Actor Ricky Tomlinson is considering standing in the general election, according to reports.

The 70-year-old Royle Family star is on the verge of taking the plunge in protest at a prospective Labour candidate, Londoner Luciana Berger, 28, being “parachuted” into the Liverpool Wavertree constituency.

Current MP Jane Kennedy is standing down.

If he makes the move, Tomlinson would stand for the Socialist Labour Party, of which he is a member, led by Arthur Scargill, former president of the National Union of Mineworkers.

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Tomlinson told a local newspaper the final decision would be made on his candidacy at a party meeting next week.

He criticised Miss Berger for a lack of local knowledge after she admitted not knowing who Bill Shankly was or who performed Ferry Cross The Mersey.

Tomlinson said: “This woman that they have parachuted in from London could not even answer some easy questions about Liverpool.

“It reminds me of when Labour parachuted Shaun Woodward into St Helens.

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“At one time, Liverpool had a contingent of working class MPs like Eric Heffer.

“People say ... you could be letting the Tories in.

“But there is no difference between the Conservatives and New Labour.

“If I get nominated, it would be an awful cut in wages.

“But I just think the state of British politics is abhorrent.”

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