Gallowatch: This is an email from the other side of the street. I live one side of Bow Road, the side that's part of the Bethnal Green & Bow constituency. My MP is therefore notorious Scottish loudmouth George Galloway. I've just wandered across the pelican crossing to the other side of Bow Road, the side that's part of the Poplar and Limehouse constituency. George holds no sway here, and I can sit in the bus shelter without fear of electoral embarrassment. Over here, on the even-poorer side of the street, the current MP is Labour Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick. But maybe not for much longer. Mr Galloway hasannounced that he's crossing the road for the next election, and taking up the fight in Poplar and Limehouse instead. He always said that he wouldn't fight another election in Bethnal Green & Bow, but he's only travelled nextdoor to find his next target seat. George's new battleground constituency includes several impoverished chunks of Shadwell and Poplar, as well as the shiny highrises of Limehouse and Canary Wharf. In this part of the East End there's a solid core of voters who appreciate everything his Respect Party stands for, as indicated by a local by-electionwin this week. But will the wealthier Docklands element fall for his beguiling cat-licking charm? One hopes not. As soon as the next election is called, my side of the street will finally be free of an MP who's treated his constituents with self-obsessed disinterest. But the other side of Bow Road may not be so lucky. At least they have the chance not to vote for him in the first place. Come on Gordon, name the date and bring it on! And let's make both sides of my street a better place to live.
