THE news that comedian Al ‘Pub Landlord’ Murray is to stand in the general election against UKIP leader Nigel Farage will hopefully encourage more no-hopers to throw their hats into the ring around the country and liven up the campaign.

Or does Al actually stand a chance of causing an upset? After all, some would say he is one joker standing against another in the shape of beer-swilling European Union-hating Nigel.

Al is representing the Free United Kingdom Party, promising the UK will leave the solar system by 2025 and Greece will be sold to Kent.

Are his goals any less crazy than good old bloke Nigel’s aim to take us out of Europe? No-one doubts the European Union needs drastic reform, but cutting and running, as UKIP and more right-wing Tories want to do, is not the answer.

We don’t know the names of all the contestants in May’s Inverclyde contest, but we can only hope a celebrity like Al will grace us with their presence. They would have nae chance of winning, but it would focus attention on Inverclyde.

How about model Katie ‘Jordan’ Price, for example? She stood as an independent in Manchester in 2001, calling for a ban on parking tickets (Inverclyde Council wouldn’t like that!) and more nudist beaches — Lunderston Bay in the running?

Perhaps the suggestion of a giant Hollywood-style sign above Inverclyde will encourage some celeb to step into the frame!