Liberal MP Craig Kelly has ruled out moving to the crossbench before a looming preselection showdown but is holding firm on his threat to contest the next election as an independent.

Donning a T-shirt emblazoned with the face of Liberal Party legend Robert Menzies, Mr Kelly acknowledged people close to him had urged him to quit the Liberals immediately.

Craig Kelly dons a Robert Menzies T-shirt in Parliament House on Thursday. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

But Mr Kelly, who represents the Sydney seat of Hughes, said he wanted to contest Liberal preselection for his seat, which party officials are delaying as long as possible to avoid Mr Kelly defecting to the crossbench.

"People have been urging me to do all sorts of things," he said. "I'm looking forward to putting my record on the line."