He left the political arena when he stood down at the last general election but former Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour MP Derek Wyatt could be about to make a comeback.

The 64-year-old, who once played rugby for England, confirmed he is “thinking about” throwing his hat into the ring to stand as London Mayor in May 2016.

Mayor Boris Johnson has announced he is to stand as a Conservative candidate in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in next year’s general election and will step down from his current role when his term ends.

Mr Wyatt, who now lives in London, said: “It’s true. I’m thinking about it. I’m putting a few feelers out there.

“I’ve taken five years out and I’ve been looking at different cities around the world. It’s too early to say what I would put in my manifesto but I think London to bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and a bid to host Expo in 2025 [would be in it].

“We don’t have to declare our interest until May next year.”

In October 2008 Mr Johnson came under fire for being too busy to meet Mr Wyatt about his controversial dream for a £40 billion airport just two miles off of Sheppey.

In response to a written invitation to talk the Mayor responded: “Much as I appreciate your invitation, I am, alas, snowed under, and mustn’t take on anything else at the moment.”

Mr Wyatt sent a stinging reply: “You threaten the livelihood of 45,000 people on the Isle of Sheppey without any consultation or pre-warning – and then you haven’t the grace to see their local MP.”

The plan was recently blown out of the water by the Davies Commission, which examined options to increase aviation capacity in the South East. It has been left with three options for airport expansion in the region.

There are two additional runway plans for Heathrow and one for Gatwick. Announcing his decision, Sir Howard Davies said: “The economic disruption would be huge.”