EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Frank Dobson speaks to us about his time as an MP

Frank Dobson, London's longest-serving MP, has represented Holborn and St Pancras since 1979. Here, he tells us about his role over the last three decades and his priorities for the future.

Mr Dobson says the most important aspect of a local MP's role is "to represent the interests and concerns of the people in the constituency," but to recognise that sometimes differing interests clash. It's important, says Dobson, "to honestly say to people you disagree with, 'I'm sorry, I don't agree with you' - otherwise you end up in a real mess."

Housing is a key local priority for Dobson - "A child can't have a decent start in life unless they have a decent home to go to," he says. In his days as leader of Camden Council, Dobson was instrumental in the council's purchase of Lissenden Gardens to prevent the majority of local housing from being taken over by private landlords.

Since entering politics in 1971, Dobson says one of the biggest changes he has seen is a "greater degree of inidividualism - some of it has got to the stage where it's, 'I'm fine, pull up the ladder', which I don't think is a good attitude to have from the point of view of a decent society."

Having lived and worked in the area for many years, Dobson finds Highgate "a very pleasant place to set eyes on" and enjoys its "villagey atmosphere". He also feels it's a good thing that people in Highgate, of all political persuasions, have been keen to work together to further the interests of Highgate.

As a former Secretary of State for Health, Dobson is adamant that the rebuilt A&E at the Whittington that his Health Department invested in heavily during the 1990s should not be closed: "I'm damned if I'm going to go along with the idea of closing it, becase it's a crazy idea - if only from the point of view of the cost." Mr Dobson has words of hope for the Whittington campaigners however: Health Minister Mike O'Brien has said twice in the commons he can't see any justification for closing the unit.

A passionate supporter of the arts, Mr Dobson believes it's important to give young people the opportunity to engage with creativity and performance "without dumbing down". He sympathises with the woes of local people about the current problems on the Northern Line: "I think that the option they've come up with isn't very helpful to the people who depend on the line, and there are better options that the one they're putting forward."

His final message for Highgate People? "I am Labour, but I'm not a party poodle. If you're want somebody with an independent mind but of a left-wing disposition, I'm your man!"