Being young, Asian and female would certainly break the mould among Scottish Labour MPs, but Ayesha Hazarika has been shortlisted to become a Glasgow MP with another unusual qualification - she is a stand-up comedian.

That is, she claims, "a tonic" after her day job in London as a government affairs executive with EMI music company. She joined that after working as a spin doctor for Patricia Hewitt, then Trade and Industry Secretary, and she was part of the team preparing events where Tony Blair was appearing in the last general election.

Ms Hazarika is one of four people short-listed to fight for Labour's candidacy in Glasgow Central, replacing Mohammad Sarwar, who is standing down at the next Westminster election.

The favourite to represent Labour remains the MP's son, Anas Sarwar.

Aged 31, Ms Hazarika grew up in Bellshill, Coatbridge and Hamilton, where her parents still live.

Labour selects its candidate on September 10.