Running for Parliament can be an overwhelming experience for some candidates. But at the age of 32, Wes Streeting could already be considered a veteran of political activism.
This is his first general election campaign, but Labour's candidate in Ilford North approaches May as deputy leader of his local council and with a two-year stint as president of the National Union of Students on his CV.
His battle to overturn incumbent Conservative Lee Scott's 5,404 majority will be one to keep a close eye on. The constituency covers Redbridge and has one of the highest proportions of Jewish residents in the country.
Mr Streeting acknowledges that Labour has in the past got it wrong when trying to attract the support of Jews in the capital. "Labour in some parts of London basically shut the door to Jewish people through our choice of candidates and policy positions," he explained over a mint tea in a Westminster café.
"I know some Jewish people who voted Labour in Ilford North in 2010, or for Ken Livingstone in 2012, but plenty of die-hard Labour supporters who are Jewish didn't. I can understand why."
Many Israel advocates say they will turn away from Labour as a result of Ed Miliband and Douglas Alexander's position during last summer's Gaza conflict. So how does Mr Streeting deal with the harm their stance could do to his campaign?
"There's no doubt that what Ed and Douglas have said on Israel has made some party members uncomfortable," he said. "I think it's part of a wider debate we need to have on the left here and in Israel. Issues like the UN vote on Palestinian statehood, that is gesture politics.
"We have a dangerous climate in this country where some Jews feel they can't speak out. That's a concern. They should never feel hesitant or feel that when they raise antisemitism they will get a rant about Israel back in return."
Mr Streeting's own track-record on Israel is clear. During his NUS presidency he was praised for improving relations with the Union of Jewish Students at a time when anti-Israel activism on campuses was growing.
That may assuage some Jewish voters in the constituency, but the Barkingside-based candidate is adamant that local issues will be at the forefront of people's minds at the ballot box.
He said demographic changes in Ilford North would be to his favour. "There are lots of people moving from inner London. A lot of people are ambitious, they know we have good local schools, they're doing well for themselves in business and working in medicine, law and in the City and IT.
"These people are instinctively Labour voters and will turn out for us in May. I think I'm the right candidate at the right time. I'm a different sort of politician. People are fed up with broken promises."
He's young, ambitious and determined. If 2015 proves to be five years too early, it would be foolish to bet against Mr Streeting one day becoming an MP. You might even get good odds on him achieving his greatest hope - to be Education Secretary in a Labour government.
