Politicians are not often seen as a romantic bunch but a poll has revealed many have a secret yearning for a good, old fashioned mushy film.

Of all the films in all the world, Casablanca came out top of the poll when 175 MPs were asked which was their favourite movie of all time.

The classic Oscar-winning love story starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart captured the imagination of 13 per cent of all those polled, including Lewes MP Norman Baker, who admitted he still cries when he watches it.

The MP said: "What makes it my favourite film is both its atmosphere and especially the chemistry between Bogart and Bergman. In fact I still cry at the Marseillaise scene.

"It is just an absolute classic film and has all the ingredients you could ever wish for. It should be shown more often.

"I think most MPs are interested in films in one way or another and we all have fairly strong and clear choices.

"I don't know whether you can determine an MP's political personality by their film choice, though."

Mr Baker has been a supporter of Lewes Cinema for a number of years and is a self-confessed film-buff.

Other movies to feature highly in the poll perhaps reveal more about some MPs' personalities.

Cross-dressing classic Some Like it Hot and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, set in an asylum, were also nominated.

George Lucas's Star Wars came second overall in the poll.

Simon Burgess, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said he had a soft spot for the Italian Job, starring Michael Caine. He said: "It's because I like humour and the very British take on organised crime.

"Also, my mum and dad used to organise motor racing at Crystal Palace circuit which is where they filmed the You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off' scene."

Coun Burgess also said he had a soft spot for Quadrophenia, the Brighton-based scooter epic set in the 1960s.

The council leader said: "It is one of my favourites because it has all the angst of being a teenager and shows Brighton as a cool place to go."

The poll was commissioned by Sky TV to mark its showing of all six Star Wars films on high definition television.

Labour MPs emerged as more likely to have violent movies like Goodfellas and Reservoir Dogs or comedy films such as Brassed Off or The Life of Brian as their favourites.

The Tories were more likely to choose a romantic film. Many named Gone With The Wind, La Dolce Vita and Wuthering Heights.

Although David Lepper, the Brighton Pavilion MP, isn't mentioned in the poll, he has long been a fan of John Wayne.

WHAT FILM ROLES SUIT SUSSEX MPS?

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