South East Labour held their regional conference in Crawley this weekend. I joined Labour members, MPs, Councillors and candidates from across the region. I spoke about the progress Labour has made since 2010 – winning control of councils like Reading, Southampton and Gravesham and gaining Councillors across the region. People in the area are concerned about the cost of living as working families are being hit by rising rail fares, childcare costs and high house prices.

Over 200 Labour students from across the country joined together at a reception in London to celebrate the work they have been doing. Speakers at the event included Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, Community’s General Secretary, Roy Rickhuss and Labour’s 2015 candidate for Reading West Victoria Groulef . I spoke about the fact that Labour, led by Ed Miliband has been setting the agenda whilst the Coalition Government has promised things which it has not delivered. Since 2010, Labour has gained over 1950 new Councillors and it is Labour students who have helped deliver this. Their energy and dynamism will be crucial in helping Labour win in key seats across the country in 2015.   

Today the Labour Party held their special conference to vote on the NEC’s recommendations following the Collins Review on Labour Party Reform. 86% of delegates voted in favour of the changes which will open up the Party and get more people involved.

Labour councillors from across the country met at the Excel in London on Saturday and Sunday for the Labour in Local Government Conference. This conference built on the success of last year’s event, welcoming more than 500 Labour Councillors, MPs and MEPs amongst others. The weekend of events included policy development seminars, training and networking.  Joining Cllr Simon Henig, Cllr David Sparks and Cllr Ann Lucas for the first session - I spoke about the progress that Labour has made since 2010, including gaining an additional 1950 councillors across the country and the difference that Labour Cllrs are making, standing up for their communities in difficult times. 

This afternoon I met with the landlords of the former Church Commission properties in Walworth along with local councillors Dan Garfield and Lorraine Lauder, and Tenants & Residents Association members Henry Quenelle, Lynda Tilbry and Paul Flemming. Tenants are concerned about a number of issues related to the management of the estate. We reached agreement on key issues and I will be monitoring the situation to ensure that the agreements are adhered to.

This morning I visited the Harris Academy in Peckham. I was pleased to be shown around the school, meet the new Principal Carol-Ann Alcock, and talk to the students about their work and what plans they have for the future. 

This afternoon I met with the landlords of the former Church Commission properties in Walworth along with local councillors Dan Garfield and Lorraine Lauder, and Tenants & Residents Association members Henry Quenelle, Lynda Tilbry and Paul Flemming. Tenants are concerned about a number of issues related to the management of the estate. We reached agreement on key issues and I will be monitoring the situation to ensure that the agreements are adhered to.

The Oxford Media Convention brings together media and creative industry representatives to discuss this key sector.  But where is the growth coming from?  My speech answered “from people” and backed young people, the creators of tomorrow.

You can read the full text of the speech here.

This morning I joined residents of the Silverlock estate for an advice surgery and walkabout with David and Bonnie from the Tenant's Association, local Councillor Richard Livingstone, Council candidate Evelyn Akoto, and Kate Emmanuel, Housing Officer.

In recent days I have been the subject of a politically-motivated smear campaign by the Daily Mail.

They have accused me of being an apologist for child sex abuse, of supporting a vile paedophile organisation, of having a relaxed attitude to paedophilia and of watering down child pornography laws. These are horrific allegations and I strongly deny them all of them.

On Saturday and Sunday over 300 Young Labour Party members attended National Youth Conference in Bradford to debate policy issues that they would like to see included in the 2015 manifesto.

One of the most constant complaints I get from people who live and work in and around Peckham is the need for a boost to the shopping and station area around Rye Lane.

I've been around long enough to remember when Rye Lane was a self-confident shopping ‘experience’ with lots of different sorts of shops- including M&S. Now, even the traders in the Rye Lane Traders Association are concerned that Rye Lane is not what it could be.

There's no reason that that should continue to be the case.  Local people should be able to look forward to walking down to a great shopping area and people should want to come in from outside Peckham to shop for what it has to offer.

And then there's the station.  Peckham Rye station is one of the gems of the old South East Railway.  But right now that's hard to spot because the area around the station has become closed in and uninviting.

Again, there's no reason that should continue to be the case. 

So I'm strongly in favour of the redevelopment around the station which can give the area a real boost.

But the redevelopment plans put forward by Network Rail have caused dismay and Southwark Council have rightly called for a rethink.

Nearly everyone agrees that redevelopment is needed around the station. But it’s harder to get agreement on what that redevelopment should include.  It’s right that the Council has decided to take extra time to rethink the plans and consult the local community. 

After further consultation the next steps will be the Council considering the granting of planning permission.

There are a number of key issues which should be addressed in the new plans which are brought forward.

*There's a real shortage of affordable housing in Southwark. More housing is a good idea but it must include homes which local people can afford to rent or buy.

* The new scheme must ‘open up’ the area in front of the station so it can be seen and admired in all its glory.

*But, at the same time, the lovely 1930s Art Deco buildings like 12-16 Blenheim Grove home of the Peckham Refreshment Rooms and the Sunday Painter must be kept - not torn down.

*The redevelopment should support the growing and dynamic arts scene in Peckham and ensure that local independent enterprises are not squeezed out by Starbucks and Costa.  This can be done by a ‘lettings strategy’ which would give priority to local independents and ensure a mixture of uses including light industrial i.e. not only commercial or retail.

*The whole scheme must be financially viable - the sums must add up or we will end up with no redevelopment at all.

The Council, Network Rail and the local community are all working together now to get the right balance for Peckham. It’s a great opportunity. Let’s keep the best of the past - Peckham heritage and history, the best of today - the vibrancy of the local community and for tomorrow - get a development which is fit for a dynamic future for Peckham.

One of the most constant complaints I get from people who live and work in and around Peckham is the need for a boost to the shopping and station area around Rye Lane.

I've been around long enough to remember when Rye Lane was a self-confident shopping ‘experience’ with lots of different sorts of shops- including M&S. Now, even the traders in the Rye Lane Traders Association are concerned that Rye Lane is not what it could be.

There's no reason that that should continue to be the case.  Local people should be able to look forward to walking down to a great shopping area and people should want to come in from outside Peckham to shop for what it has to offer.

And then there's the station.  Peckham Rye station is one of the gems of the old South East Railway.  But right now that's hard to spot because the area around the station has become closed in and uninviting.

Again, there's no reason that should continue to be the case. 

So I'm strongly in favour of the redevelopment around the station which can give the area a real boost.

But the redevelopment plans put forward by Network Rail have caused dismay and Southwark Council have rightly called for a rethink.

Nearly everyone agrees that redevelopment is needed around the station. But it’s harder to get agreement on what that redevelopment should include.  It’s right that the Council has decided to take extra time to rethink the plans and consult the local community. 

After further consultation the next steps will be the Council considering the granting of planning permission.

There are a number of key issues which should be addressed in the new plans which are brought forward.

*There's a real shortage of affordable housing in Southwark. More housing is a good idea but it must include homes which local people can afford to rent or buy.

* The new scheme must ‘open up’ the area in front of the station so it can be seen and admired in all its glory.

*But, at the same time, the lovely 1930s Art Deco buildings like 12-16 Blenheim Grove home of the Peckham Refreshment Rooms and the Sunday Painter must be kept - not torn down.

*The redevelopment should support the growing and dynamic arts scene in Peckham and ensure that local independent enterprises are not squeezed out by Starbucks and Costa.  This can be done by a ‘lettings strategy’ which would give priority to local independents and ensure a mixture of uses including light industrial i.e. not only commercial or retail.

*The whole scheme must be financially viable - the sums must add up or we will end up with no redevelopment at all.

The Council, Network Rail and the local community are all working together now to get the right balance for Peckham. It’s a great opportunity. Let’s keep the best of the past - Peckham heritage and history, the best of today - the vibrancy of the local community and for tomorrow - get a development which is fit for a dynamic future for Peckham.

There’s no doubt that people here in Southwark are feeling the squeeze right now.  Prices are going up, with big heating bills and rising food prices – while pay has been at a standstill.

In 2012, I drew together a ‘Creative Camberwell & Peckham Advisory Panel’ so local creative people can share their views, advise me on my national brief as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, and help guide me as I support our creative sector in Southwark. This morning I met with over 50 members of the local creative community at the Camberwell College of Arts to hear their views on the development of the arts and creative industries in Camberwell & Peckham. We discussed the re-development of the Peckham Rye station area, the importance of inclusion and access, affordability of art space, and arts in the school curriculum

There’s no doubt that people here in Southwark are feeling the squeeze right now.  Prices are going up, with big heating bills and rising food prices – while pay has been at a standstill.

Today I asked Nick Clegg about the Government’s response to the flooding in the UK and asked him to assure the House that the Government will bring together the insurance companies and co-ordinate all the Government compensation processes.

Southwark Council, in partnership with Network Rail and the Mayor of London, is making plans to develop the area around Peckham Rye station.This will involve the creation of new public spaces and re-development of the railway yards and arches as part of a broader programme of works to revitalise the station area. Today I met with Cllr Fiona Colley who is leading the Council's regeneration plans, Sally Green the project lead for Peckham Station area, and local ward councillor Nick Dolezal for a progress update and to raise the concerns my constituents have about some of the proposals.

Today 50 of Labour’s newest trainee organisers met in Parliament as part of their week long residential training course. Each organiser is responsible for one or two of the key constituencies Labour is targeting in 2015. I spoke about the importance of their job in the next 15 months in helping Labour meet its aim of being a one term only opposition.  

On 31 January 2014, Peckham Space re-launched under the new name Peckham Platform and I was pleased to be invited to open the new organisation. They will continue to deliver an exciting exhibition programme, in the same space opposite the library at the heart of Peckham’s community, working with local schools and partners to increase local public involvement in the arts. Joined by local councillors Cleo Soanes, Veronica Ward and Ian Wingfield, along with candidate Johnson Situ, it was great to see the new space packed to overflowing!