With the General Election nearing ever closer, PLMR is speaking to MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates from different political parties to find out how they’re preparing.

In this episode, we meet Jim Fitzpatrick, the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse in East London.

PLMR Week Ahead in Westminster Video Podcast – Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick from PLMR Ltd on Vimeo.

PLMR’s Rob Comba asked Jim:

How is this General Election different from previous ones?
Jim says it’s a bit quieter this time around – at his first election in 1997, it was a Tory seat and last time (2010) he had to fend off the challenge from George Galloway.

Are there any threats to Labour in Poplar and Limehouse?
Jim says though it may be quieter this time around, they aren’t taking anything from granted. Jim invokes Cicero, when he says ‘the people are never happy’.

If the General Election 2015 ends in coalition, who would be Labour’s preferred partner?
Labour are gunning for an outright majority, according to Jim, so they aren’t currently thinking of a coalition.

Would Jim mind Labour entering into coalition with the Lib Dems?
Although he would prefer a Labour majority, Jim wouldn’t mind doing a deal with the Lib Dems

What is the key issue for voters in Jim’s constituency?
Housing is the big issue in Poplar and Limehouse because the demand is so high.

Listen to all our past podcasts here:

Other General Election 2015 Video Interviews
Interview with Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St. Ives in Cornwall