Liberal tackles Fitzpatrick, Galloway and Archer

"There are too many MPs who have only been MPs and who have too little experience outside that world."

Jonathan's bid for Poplar and Limehouse winds back 40 years, when a Manchester teen left school early to find out more about a war smouldering in the world's press.

He said: "I went to Saigon in 1969, travelling overland and then by sea. I wrote feature articles for the Manchester Evening News and National Geographic on how the war was affecting the Vietnamese themselves.

"I was one of the first to write about Agent Orange and Napalm and how people were being driven off the land into secure villages.

"At one point I was based with the young US troops, many of whom were younger than me. They were suddenly thrust into a situation that they didn't understand.

"They became worried about their own survival, saw friends die and became so vengeful. The Vietnamese became simply objects to be killed. It was horrifying.

"I went there with the big question of whether the war was right or wrong. Because of my experiences there, I came to the conclusion that not only was it wrong but that war is not the answer to most situations.

"I became a Quaker and I've spent a lot of time after that as a war correspondent because I'm interested in promoting peace."

Jonathan had also experienced life in the Middle and Far East by the time he joined Reuters after university, and was a Brussels-based freelancer for seven years. He has travelled to 160 countries as a reporter and documentary maker.

He said: "I've always been interested in other cultures. Experience helps you draw comparisons.

"It certainly helps you relate to different groups within the borough if you're familiar with the country they originate from."

In multi-cultural Tower Hamlets, the issue of race emerges frequently in many forms.

Jonathan thinks any divides need to be dealt with by "building community spirit".

He said: "The East End used to be famous for that. Although it still exists to a certain extent, it's not what it was. It's about rebuilding a community from the bottom up.

"I've been very impressed by what's happening in Hackney.

"It has a large Muslim community living side by side with an Orthodox Jewish community, but they make a really big effort to visit each other's faith schools and places of worship, to understand and accept each other's ways."

Jonathan has been a Liberal party member since former leader Jo Grimond visited his school in 1964.

He was a Bromley Councillor for four years from 1986, and has stood in general elections in Chelsea, Orpington and Leyton.

The widely-travelled journalist, lecturer and author is chairman of the London Region

Liberal Democrats, but his main love is European politics.

He narrowly failed to become an MEP last summer in his sixth attempt at election. He was asked by the local party to stand as MP.

He said: "It was really nice that local people wanted me to stand."

Jonathan has lived in the same home in the borough for 25 years.

He said: "Housing is a big issue here. There are concerns about the amount of social and affordable homes and places for families, but a lot of people are also worried about the increasing density. That's a difficult balance.

"A few brownfield sites are left but I'm concerned that Tower Hamlets is being asked to develop more than perhaps is a good idea."

Jonathan was first attracted to the Liberals by the "emphasis on freedom, tolerance and social justice".

He believes in a free market economy with a "support system" for "people who are poorer and weaker".

He said: "We need a fairer society. What we've seen under both the Conservatives and Labour is a widening gap between rich and poor, a society where people who come from privileged backgrounds have much more chance of having a better life.

"Having covered so many wars and travelled to so many poor areas, it's easy to get depressed. But you often find those little messages of hope.

"I did some work in the favelas in Brazil and saw how local groups were bringing in people to teach computer skills, end gang fighting and get people off drugs.

"The whole community was involved. I saw how lives were transformed in areas where people were very poor and plagued by gang violence.

"Let's face it, in London there are all sorts of problems but you have to put them in perspective.

"People see what's happening in Haiti on the TV and the only conclusion is that we're very lucky."