Politics
Tomlinson is a friend of Arthur Scargill and often appears on party election broadcasts for Scargill's Socialist Labour Party, most recently for the 2009 European Parliament elections, being its most prominent celebrity supporter since its formation in 1996 following a split by left-wing Labour members in response to Tony Blair's re-writing of Clause IV which ended the party's commitment to nationalisation.
He has also shown his support for the Campaign for a New Workers' Party. A public meeting was hosted by the CNWP in Liverpool on Monday 12 February 2007 which was addressed by Ricky Tomlinson alongside Tommy Sheridan and Tony Mulhearn in which he used the slogan "New Labour my arse".
He is mentioned in the Chumbawamba song, "I'm not sorry, I was having fun", in reference to his support for the Socialist Labour Party.
On 5 February 2010, Tomlinson revealed his plan to stand as the Socialist Labour Party's candidate for the Liverpool Wavertree constituency at the 2010 General Election in protest at the selection of Luciana Berger, a 28-year old Londoner as the Labour Party candidate. However, Kim Singleton was ultimately selected for the seat. In a statement, the SLP said that he could not contest the election due to "personal and contractual commitments". Mr Tomlinson added: "I am disappointed not to be able to stand. But I am pleased to give the chosen candidate my wholehearted support." He has also commented that there is now "no difference between the Conservatives and New Labour".
Earlier in his life, Tomlinson was a member of the far right National Front. He now regrets this association. He is an outspoken critic of Margaret Thatcher.
Read more about this topic: Ricky Tomlinson
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