He initially worked as a lecturer of English at Ruffwood Comprehensive School and Edge Hill College of H.E.
At the general election in June 1987, Pickthall ran for Parliament in West Lancashire, but lost to the Conservatives by 1,353 votes.
Later, in 1989, he won the seat of Ormskirk on Lancashire County Council by a very small margin.
[3] Pickthall is considered a leftist, frequently campaigning on animal welfare and environmental issues.
He is opposed to hare coursing, as the Waterloo Cup took place at Great Altcar, in his constituency, and hunting.