It is a great privilege to represent Camberwell and Peckham in Parliament and an honour to once again be re-elected as your MP and I rededicate myself to serving this diverse and dynamic constituency.

It’s my role to represent everyone - the people who were born and brought up in this area who represent its great heritage and traditions, the young people who have come to set up home here, the people who have come from all different parts of the world to raise their children here, to work hard and be part of this community. I will stand up for all of my constituents and help with any individual problems - whether or not you voted for me.

I’ll stand up for our precious public services particularly the NHS. And I’ll stand up for my constituents against unfairness - like the Bedroom Tax.

I pay tribute to Simon Hughes for his many years as MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark. And I warmly welcome Neil Coyle as the new MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark. I look forward to working with him and with Helen Hayes MP for Dulwich and West Norwood who steps into the big shoes left by Tessa Jowell who has retired. 

I will work with our dedicated Labour Council who will be even more necessary in the future to take forward plans for jobs and opportunities for young people and progress on housing. Especially against a background of unfair cuts that the Tories will inflict on Southwark Council. I’ll make it a priority to improve public transport in our area, and I’ll work with the Council and schools to ensure that all our schools are good enough to be parents’ first choice. And I look forward to working with our Greater London Authority representative Val Shawcross.

We will hold this Tory government to account. People need to be able to get to see their GP, to be seen in A&E without delay. The Tories made promises on the NHS - when they break them, we will challenge them every step of the way. They are threatening swingeing welfare cuts and we will do everything we can to make sure we protect those who will suffer the most.

I will speak up for Camberwell and Peckham and ensure that we are the most effective, determined voice of Opposition to this government we can be. I'm interim leader of the Labour Party until September 12th and thereafter I will continue as MP for Camberwell and Peckham.