ONE OF TOWER HAMLETS’ two Labour MPs – Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar & Limehouse – has confirmed that he may once again vote with the Conservative Government rather than support his own party.
Fitzpatrick was speaking on Radio 4’s lunchtime news programme, World at One, speculating about how he would vote if he had to decide between supporting Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement (known as her “deal”) or leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement. He stopped short of giving a definite commitment to back the Prime Minister, but conceded that a stark eleventh hour choice between those two alternatives may see him voting for the government line.
Fitzpatrick has previously explained that he puts considerations of the national interest (as determined by himself) and his constituents, as well as his own conscience, before the collective agreements of the Labour Party – even though he stood as an official Labour Party candidate at the last General Election.
What factors Fitzpatrick will take into account when making up his mind which Party to side with remains unknown. It is thought that on previous occasions when he has wavered over a Brexit vote, his ultimate decision has been influenced by voters and local party members contacting him.
Jim’s website now combines his news and views in one weekly newsletter, so it is not a source of his up to date thinking. He does tweet on an almost daily basis, but so far has not shared his concerns over the Brexit votes due in Parliament this week on Twitter. His one tweet today, before he spoke on the radio, concerns a photographic exhibition at the Tate on world trouble-spots (which he recommends).
Fitzpatrick is expected to retire from Parliament at the next General Election.
•Rushanara Ali, Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, has not made her intentions public. Her latest statement to the media, dated 15th March, was a condemnation of the terrorist attack in New Zealand. She has updated her Twitter feed more recently, mostly by re-tweeting a range of MPs’ views rather than by putting forward her own.
•Read more about it: Fitzpatrick rebels: too little, too late Rushanara named as Brexit rebel