It has been a huge privilege to serve as MP for Lewisham Deptford (which becomes Lewisham North at the general election) since 2015.

Full statement

I have lived in the constituency for over 20 years, and it is a joy to represent the people and places I have got to know in that time.



"For me, politics has always been local. Prior to being elected to Parliament, I served as a local councillor in Brockley ward and was chair of the Lewisham Council Labour group. I also worked for a trade union for 13 years and during my time there led campaigns against low pay, the exploitation of agency workers and the use of zero-hour contracts.



"My priority is to give my constituents a voice in Westminster, whether that's by fighting for decent housing, defending our NHS, lobbying for school funding, or protecting our environment. I have also campaigned for youth violence to be treated as a public health issue and in doing so set up the cross-party Youth Violence Commission.



"I have held several front bench roles, including almost four years spent as a whip and a stint as Shadow Minister for Civil Society. In April 2020 I was appointed Shadow Minister for Disabled People and I remain in that role today. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved so far and look forward to hopefully continuing that work in government