Jim Fitzpatrick

Labour MP Poplar and Canning Town

Date of birth

4 April 1952

Political profile

Jim Fitzpatrick started out as a leading member of the Fire Brigades Union, while serving as a London firefighter and was also chair of the notoriously wayward Greater London Labour Party.

However, his views came towards the centre and he entered the government in 2001 as an absolutely loyal whip, being promoted within the Whips' Office in June 2003.

An internationalist with interests in environmental and animal welfare issues, he voted against the government's abolition of student grants but had come in line sufficiently to be appointed parliamentary private secretary to Alan Milburn in 1999.

Originally from Scotland, but long based in London, he resigned as chair of London Labour after helping to oversee the party's disastrous campaign for the London mayoralty.

He is one of the most enthusiastic football fans in the Commons.

Contact

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Constituency 020 7536 0562