I am deeply honoured to be elected as the new London Assembly Member for my home seat of Lambeth and Southwark.
Growing up on a council estate in the heart of Brixton, I never dreamt that I would have the opportunity to represent over 450,000 residents in the best part of South London. I became involved in politics at a young age as I wanted to see more people from a diverse background, and from different parts of our community, working together to help make the changes we all seek to achieve.
I may be biased, but I was also excited to see a fellow South Londoner elected as the new Mayor of London. Sadiq’s landslide victory will see us working closely over the next four years and I was proud to be part of a focused positive campaign. There is no place for hate or division in such a diverse city like London. I have witnessed the different diverse communities across Lambeth and Southwark working with local councillors, MPs and outgoing Assembly Member to make our two boroughs even greater. I intend to build on this work and I’m really looking forward to getting out and meeting more members of the community over the next few weeks and months.
Sadiq Khan visited Southwark frequently in recent months and he has pledged to be a Mayor for all Londoners. He has vowed to get to grips with the housing crisis and I know first-hand how important it is for people to have access to decent affordable housing. Data from the 2011 census estimates that there are over 70,000 people living in private rented accommodation in Southwark and home ownership is becoming increasingly more difficult for people of my generation and younger. On the doorstep, talking to residents housing is always the top issue and I am keen to work with the new Mayor and Southwark Council to help get the much needed investment into the borough to help us build genuine affordable homes.
Sadiq has also committed to addressing the growing cost of living in London and addressing transport costs which increased significantly under Boris Johnson. With parts of Lambeth and Southwark covering zone 1 near London Bridge, Waterloo right through to zone 4 near the Gipsy Hill and Crystal Palace border I am looking forward to residents benefiting from the fare free for the next four years.
I am really looking forward to working with Mayor Sadiq Khan to get Lambeth and Southwark firmly back on track.