CONSERVATIVE: Blackwall and Cubitt Town councillor Tim Archer has made his name as a hard-working local politician, taking up issues on behalf of constituents. The 35-year-old has already fought one general election in east London , coming second to the

CONSERVATIVE: Blackwall and Cubitt Town councillor Tim Archer has made his name as a hard-working local politician, taking up issues on behalf of constituents.

The 35-year-old has already fought one general election in east London , coming second to the incumbent Jim Fitzpatrick. The former manager for Barclays bank has lived on the Isle of Dogs for 11 years and chose to fight in the East End - a traditionally tough option for the Conservatives, rather than contest a 'safe' Tory seat.

One of his key priorities is housing and education along with crime and anti-social behaviour and he wants to see more safer neighbourhood police on the streets outside office hours when there is more likely to be anti-social behaviour.

ENGLISH DEMOCRAT: Businessman Andrew Osborne, 48, has lived on the Isle of Dogs since 1993 and runs a business selling office equipment in Poplar.

A newcomer to politics he wants to see an English Parliament for England with the same powers as Scotland's Parliament and to scrap English regional assemblies and to slash the size of central government departments with taxes decided locally.

He is also opposed to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr Osborne is also concerned with crime and has given chase to would-be burglars who tried cot break into a neighbour's property and earned himself two days in hospital for his pains.

GREEN: Chris Smith, 42, is waging war on the number of empty properties in the East End and would like to see businesses encouraged to move into vacant premises to help revitalise the community. He also wants to slash "waste incompetence" and to offer residents free home insulation to help slash their heating bills.

The Bethnal Green resident is also running for council as a Green candidate for Bow West. He has worked as a television producer and as a home energy auditor helping people to green up their heating. He got involved in green issues about eight years ago also set up the ecotube website.

INDEPENDENT: Jim Thornton has served as a Conservative councillor on East Herts council, deciding to become an independent in 2007, setting up East Harts People which attracted other independents.

He has written about his experiences in a manual for independents, called Independents for East Herts.

He specialises in property management, investment and development and his family owned a business in Shadwell.

LABOUR: Food and Farming Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, 58, has been Poplar and Canning Town's MP for the last 13 years.

A former firefighter for 23 years and Fire Brigade Union activist Mr Fitzpatrick has always been interested in politics and has a steely determination. His priorities include housing, employment, public services, health and policing.

Two years ago he went to Bangladesh on the Voluntary Service Overseas scheme for MPs and passed on tips about lobbying to local health groups.

Last year he spoke out about segregation at the London Muslim Centre and fired a broadside against the Islamic Forum of Europe which he believes has a 'stranglehold' over the centre.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT: Broadcaster and journalist Jonathan Fryer, 59, has supported Liberal politics since he was at school. A freelance journalist has reported for the BBC and Reuters and has written for numerous publications including the Guardian and Independent. He became a Quaker whilst covering the Vietnam War, covered the apartheid era in South Africa and has more recently reported on Europe and lectures at university.

He is chairman of the London Liberal Democrats and has been helping other candidates with their campaigns.

Mr Fryer has fought three general elections - Chelsea, Orpington and Leyton and has also contested European elections.

A Mile End resident Mr Fryer has been mugged twice near his home in the last 18 months and was injured slightly in one of the attacks.

RESPECT: Seasoned campaigner George Galloway, 55, is relishing the battle against his fellow West Ham supporter Jim Fitzpatrick.

Like his fellow Scot Mr Galloway was originally elected as a Labour MP but he was expelled from the party in 2003 over his uncompromising stance against the Iraq war.

Undaunted he stood against Labour's Oona King in Bethnal Green and Bow and won by a majority of 823.

Many people know him for his red cat suited appearance on Big Brother, his show on TalkSport and also for his campaigning for the Palestinians in Gaza. He vowed only to stand in the seat for one term and is preparing to square up against Jim Fitzpatrick in May.