Grant Wiseman says..“ Just what we need on the brink of a Tory return, tokenistic, devisive sloganing from an intelligent, principled man who should know better. Does it matter where you are from? Isn't it about intentions, ideas, policies. Ricky Tomlinson went to prison for his principles and it would be both a shame and a sham to see someone who is starting out on their political career stymead by someone whose political career is at best in it's Autumn without proper reasoned argument. Rick - leave dirty tricks to the Lib Dems.”

Liverpool voter says..“ So let's get this straight. Champagne-come-stout Socialist Ricky whatisname is upset coz a Scouser hasn't been chosen in what was a democratically watertight selection process. So he decides to stand, thereby possibly splitting the vote and paving the way for the people of Wavertree to be represented for the next five years by a Lib Dem, or wrose still a Tory. Jim Royle a true Socialist Man of the People My Effing A***. Grow up Ricky.”

Charlotte Street says..“ Didn't Ricky Tomlinson once admit to being seduced by the politics of the far right in his youth? I have no doubt that his sentiments are sincere, but perhaps they are too impetuous and emotional. As a genuine, life-long Liverpudlian who has lived their life on low wages watching the place decline, I think that we already have had too many embarrassing, loud-mouthed, 'professional scouse' comic characters obsessed with bonehead football and extinct pop music making us a national laughing stock. And that includes the Oldham Echo.”

CC Newgates says..“ Who, apart from Kilfoyle, comes from Liverpool? Stephen Twigg? Let us not forget up in Sefton, Bill Esterson has similarly been parachuted in but of these two men we hear not a dickie bird. Is it because this is a woman that the knives are out? I bet so.”

CC Newgates says..“ In fact, why don't the Oldham Echo ring these two southern gentlemen up and ask them something completely irrelevant about a pop song from almost 50 years ago? Because they would be told to **** off, that's why.”

AD says..“ Before the boundries were redrawn in the early 80's Wavertree was as safe a tory seat as they came, only once did the Liberal party get in and that was because two tories stood and split their vote.

Now its as safe a Labour seat as they come could Ricky and his banjo give the Libs another wavertree win? ”

Tony Broke says..“ According to the Daily Telegraph, Ricky Tomlinson said "If I get nominated, it would be an awful cut in wages. But I just think the state of British politics is abhorrent".
I agree about the state of British politics but if he has to take a pay cut to go down to what is still a massive £64,766p.a. it makes one wonder (a) what he must be paid now and (b) how someone so well-off can appreciate the miserable circumstances of normal people on normal Liverpool incomes who would really welcome a pay rise to take them up to one-fifth of the salary of a Member of Parliament! ”

Anonymous says..“ Is Billy Butler still going?”

Mike Neary says..“ Ricky Tomlinson is a real favourite of mine. However, I'm from Bootle and vividly remember many voters being incensed at the selection of Mancunian Alan Roberts byLabour. Alan Roberts very sadly dies from cancer at a very young age. My parents still live in Bootle and they and pretty much anyone you speak to agree that he was the best MP they ever had. Just a thought.”

Mike Neary says..“ Ricky Tomlinson is a real favourite of mine. However, I'm from Bootle and vividly remember many voters being incensed at the selection of Mancunian Alan Roberts byLabour. Alan Roberts very sadly dies from cancer at a very young age. My parents still live in Bootle and they and pretty much anyone you speak to agree that he was the best MP they ever had. Just a thought.”

Paul Collins says..“ Fantastic news. Good on yer Oboe Rick.”

Anonymous says..“ Lol! Ricky gets my vote with his £1 underpants. I am sick of these career politicians and Labour are so deluded that it's sick making”

Professor Chucklebutty says..“ Wonderful stuff a MeArseterpiece.”

Ramsbottom says..“ Eh up, Chucklebutty! Less of your cheek!”

Professor Chucklebottom..butty I mean says..“ Ramsbottom, you remind me of an incident some years back at the delightful Kingslake House DHSS as it was. (nothing to do with this) The place was packed tight with all human life and debatable lifeforms. Twitching men staring menacingly and a spread of those hardened thick armed mature women with voices like a claxon filled with gravel and the face of a gladiator. The PA system clicked on heralding the next person about to be called foward to the booths. This concentrated everybodies attention almost to a point of sudden silence. The voice on the PA requested "Mr Shufflebottom to box 3 please" As one the packed house roared with laughter in particular one of the Gladiator women's screaming mocking cackle rose above the rest. Nobody seemed to be coming forward. The Gladiator shouted roughly, "come 'ed Mr Shufflebottom, shuffle yer friggin bottom to box 3" Again nobody came forward. The PA system repeated the announcement twice and eventually a meek looking small and thin bearded man in a short white denim jacket finishing above the waist and a pair of skinny jeans a little too short rose and made his way to the box. As he passed the Gladiator, she shouted look he has got a shufflebottom as well and the cruel laughter rang out once again as Mr Shufflebottom entered the booth visibly shrinking. As the laughter echoed. Well as they say, there is always somebody worse off than yourself, although at the time, I doubt Mr Shufflebottom could think that possible. Apologies to any readers who have that fine name. I would also like to point out that I of course maintained a look of contempt for the mob who inflicted such indignity on the poor man. (ahem!) ”

Mr Shufflebottom says..“ Oh you ba****d! what dod you have to remind me of that for, 20 years I have been in therapy after that, I only came out of it before Christmas....oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Rusty Spike says..“ Erm....isn't "Ar, ay, our kid Ricky" from Blackpool?”

Mike Neary says..“ Ricky Tomlinson went to prison for his ideals and that is to be respected. Never the less, if this argument isn't handled correctly (by which of course I mean the way I think it should be handled!) Liverpool is in danger - once again - of being a national laughing stock.”

Mike Neary says..“ Ricky Tomlinson went to prison for his ideals and that is to be respected. Never the less, if this argument isn't handled correctly (by which of course I mean the way I think it should be handled!) Liverpool is in danger - once again - of being a national laughing stock.”

Ahem says..“ So long as we can still laugh at ourselves, dear boy....”

Anonymous says..“ If people get the politicians they deserve what on Earth have the poor benighted people of Wavertree done that might deserve this self-serving, unfunny, mouthy gobshite? Politics is about policy isn't it? Or is it a case of "I was a Celebrity get me in there"?”

Edd says..“ I like Ricky, and agree with much of his politics. It's ironic, though, that he objects to an 'outside' candidate, when he knows the value of being a flying picket. I've met Ms Berger, and she comes across as extremely capable. I ave no doubt she will do well for this city.”

Simon Cowell says..“ Cherie Blair unfortunately waded into this yesterday saying that people didn't mind where their MPs were from, it was star quality that they wanted. Is she right?”

Ivor Biggun says..“ That's about the size of it”

Ramsbottom says..“ Eh up, Chucklebutty, didn’t tha mean ‘Kinglake’ ‘Ouse? On Kinglake Street? “Kingslake” be blowed! ”

Glenda Jackson says..“ That Mike Neary should work for the Echo. See what I did there !”

Ramsbottom says..“ Ee! Supplementary Benefit from t'D.H.S.S., signing on at t'Renshaw Hall!
'Avin' 'A' Levels disqualified you from all t'jobs in t'Job Centre!
Those were t'days! ”

TUC Crackers says..“ Indeed ‘Ricky’ Tomlinson (a scouser would be called Richie) did go to prison for his beliefs, but as anyone here who has been active in a union and been on a picket, lobby or march will know it is remarkably easy to get arrested. Policemen assume you are a troublemaker from the off and get shirty and short-tempered about you standing or walking on a pavement you have stood and walked upon countless times before in a non-demonstrating capacity.”

Mike Neary says..“ Thanks Glenda. I offered my services to the Echo to model in their swimwear section; still waiting for the call. Honestly - some people! ”

Mike Neary says..“ Thanks Glenda. I offered my services to the Echo to model in their swimwear section; still waiting for the call. Honestly - some people! ”

Ann Robinson says..“ You are going to have to stop bashing that mouse so hard, Mike. Click G E N T L Y....”

Kenneth Branarrrrrrrrrggghhh says..“ Michael, as well as his many other talents, is a professional actor. The first post is the rehearsal then it's straight into opening night with the second post...................... (Kenneth Branarrrrrrrrggghhh is currently starring as The Muppet Swedish Detective, Inspector Kurt A Ding A Doo, A Ding A Dursh A Dinga Doeer, Free Dor De Hum Schter Wall End Dork Dork Dork) ”

Krister Henriksson says..“ Hej! Ignore Branagh - he's not the real one. They can't even pronounce 'Wallander' properly.”