Thursday 1 July 2010

Shadow Minister joins local debate on
future direction for Labour

Shadow Environment Minister Jim Fitzpatrick has been in Colchester today to address a meeting of local Labour Party members.

Mr Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, joined local party members for a wide-ranging discussion on the future direction of the Labour Party, which included a debate on the Labour Leadership candidates.

The debate – entitled “Bring Labour together, leading Labour to power” – was hosted at Colchester Town Hall by Labour Cabinet Member and Group Leader, Cllr Tim Young.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Colchester Labour Party Chairman Jordan Newell said:

"This is a remarkable and exciting time to be a member of the Labour Party, as we work to gether to shape the future of the party both locally and nationally. This debate is an opportunity for us to critique the five candidates that we have standing for the leadership and I am delighted that Jim has spared the time to give us a Westminster perspective on the contest".

Colchester Labour Party has seen a big increase in its membership over the past few months, with the number of members in both Colchester and the surrounding North East Essex area rising by nearly 100.

Speaking at Colchester Town Hall, Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"The leadership campaign gives us an opportunity to engage party members and grassroots activists and to have a conversation about our future. I was delighted, on behalf of David Miliband's campaign, to have the chance to come to Colchester to do just that, and to encourage the efforts of this active and vibrant local Labour Party."

A former Fire Fighter, Jim Fitzpatrick served as a Government Whip from 2003 to 2005 and was a Minister in various departments including the Department for Trade and Industry (2006-2007) and the Department of Transport (2007-2009). He was appointed as Minister of State for Farming and Rural Affairs by Gordon Brown in June 2009, serving in that post until the General Election.