A FIERCE election debate gets under way next week when controversial MP George Galloway challenges Farms minister Jim Fitzpatrick in a head on clash in what may be London’s most marginal seat. The two go face to face’ in public at Poplar & Limehouse

By Mike Brooke

A FIERCE election debate gets under way next week when controversial MP George Galloway challenges Farms minister Jim Fitzpatrick in a head on clash in what may be London's most marginal seat.

The two go 'face to face' in public along with Tory challenger Tim Archer at the redrawn Poplar & Limehouse constituency in London's deprived East End.

All three have confirmed they're taking part in London's hottest hustings being staged at the Cruising Association's HQ at Limehouse Basin, off the Commercial Road, when voters get the chance to question them.

Galloway has switched from neighbouring Bethnal Green & Bow to take on Fitzpatrick on his 'home turf' for backing the war in Iraq. He unseated Labour's Oona King at the 2005 election over the same issue.

But this time it's a major three-way battle with Tower Hamlets Tory Opposition councillor Archer entering the ring. Archer, representing a Tory influx around Limehouse and the Isle of Dogs, came second to Fitzpatrick in 2005 with the old boundary of Poplar & Canning Town.

The new seat loses Canning Town, Custom House and the Royal Docks. But it makes up for it snatching Wapping, St Katharine's-by-the-Tower and part of Shadwell from Bethnal Green & Bow.

The battle lines have been drawn up for Monday at 7pm by the Limehouse Community Forum, a group of businesses and residents in the E14 postal district covering most of the new constituency.