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It's finally Friday and what better way to prepare for the weekend than by reading my latest column in the South London Press. Read my article on the steps Labour are taking, both nationally and locally, to tackle the housing crisis here.   As 2024 draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to look back on the events of the past year. It has been a year of change and renewal - full of ups and downs - but as I enter into my ninth year as your Member of Parliament for Balham, Earlsfield, Furzedown and Tooting, it remains the greatest honour of my life to represent the community in which I was born and raised. Entering the new year, I would like to pay tribute to the incredible frontline workers working around the clock to keep the country going through the festive period. From our NHS services to local hospitality staff to food bank volunteers - you all have my heartfelt gratitude for your tireless work this Christmas and throughout the year. A year for democracyWhat a year it has been for elections, both locally and across the country. We began the year with a fantastic win in the Tooting Broadway by-election, increasing the Labour vote share by nearly 7% to a whopping 58% majority. Then came the Mayoral elections in May, when we kept London red by electing my Tooting predecessor Sadiq Khan to a historic third term as Mayor of London. Finally - and most importantly - we finally elected a new Labour Government after 14 long years, with areas up and down the country voting Labour for the very first time. It was humbling to receive the most votes of any Labour MP and thanks must go to everyone who voted for me - your support means the world. £100m to fix Wandsworth PrisonAfter years of campaigning - and countless stories of mismanagement and scandal - the Ministry of Justice announced a £100 million funding package for HMP Wandsworth. This will go a long way to reduce the impact of overcrowding, repair crumbling cell blocks and facilities, and ensure that prison guards can work in a safe environment. Delivering for everyone in TootingThousands of local people have contacted me this year regarding a variety of issues, I have dealt with 15,000 cases. I reclaimed tens of thousands in unpaid pensions or benefits for local people, got decisions on hundreds of delayed passport or visa applications, and helped countless local residents get repairs to their homes. My door is always open and please get in touch if there is anything I can help with. On the NHS frontline
Speaking up for Gaza It has now been over a year since the horrific 7th October attacks and Israel's subsequent invasion of Gaza. The humanitarian disaster we have seen unfold there in the time since, has been truly heartwrenching. This year, I've raised the issue numerous times in Parliament, visited the region in the spring, and held evidence sessions with humanitarian experts. Revitalising Tooting town centre
This Morning and Loose Women Using my background as an NHS doctor, I have enjoyed trying my hand at being a TV medic this year! The lovely people at This Morning and Loose Women have had me on many times to talk about a range of topics from mental health to medical emergencies and even gave me space to open up about my own childhood challenges with speech, in a bid to end stigma and help others. Work in Parliament
Keeping our streets safe in 2024, I successfully campaigned for a tripling of the Tooting neighbourhood policing team, putting more bobbies on our streets. In the summer, Operation Kenny run by the Metropolitan Police resulted in a 70% reduction in crime in Tooting town centre. This work will continue with the new Government's plans to recruit 13,000 new officers and return policing to communities. Cleaning up the local area I have never stopped campaigning for cleaner streets. This year saw a 15% reduction in fly-tipping in Wandsworth, with thousands of fines issued to people dumping their bulky rubbish on our streets. Meanwhile, Wandsworth Labour introduced food recycling for the first time ever in the borough. Free School Meals roll-out
Mental health reform Mental health is incredibly important to me and, for far too long, much-needed reforms were swept under the rug by a Conservative Government that simply wasn't interested. After much hard work, it was fantastic to see reform of the Mental Health Act announced in the King's Speech in July - this was long overdue.
Eight years ago today, I was selected as the Tooting Labour candidate for the by-election caused by Sadiq becoming a candidate for Mayor of London. It has been a huge honour and privilege to serve as the representative for the community in which I was born and raised. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported me on this incredible journey. 
As part of my previous work as Shadow Minister for Mental Health and in my capacity as an A&E doctor at St George's, I know firsthand the toll that working on the NHS frontline can take.
Today, I asked the Government whether they will continue to fund mental health support services past the 12 months they've committed to. Shamefully, the Minister refused to commit to funding. This is just further proof that this Tory Government couldn't care less about our NHS heroes.
The Tories' Rwanda Bill is one of the most shameful pieces of legislation in recent memory on both moral and practical grounds, which is why I voted 20 times against the Bill last night.
It is shameful that the Prime Minister continues to allow the sale of British weapons and military equipment to Israel.in breach of the UK's international commitments. I have been calling for a suspension of sales immediately and my comments can be read in the Independent here. Last week, I also signed a joint letter to the Foreign and Business Secretaries alongside a cross-party group of over 130 MPs, calling for the halting of UK arms sales to Israel. The full text of this letter can be read below. After more than a year of waiting, the Government has finally responded to the Joint Committee report on the draft Mental Health Bill.
In that time, they kicked mental health into the long grass while patients continued to suffer. The Government response is poor - rejecting vital calls for a Mental Health Commissioner, refusing to ban discriminatory Community Treatment Orders and ignoring a right to culturally appropriate advocacy. Why make us wait so long and not provide any meaningful change? With waiting lists higher than ever, we need bold action on mental health. It is clear the Tories are simply not up to the job. A Labour Government must bring forward mental health reform with the recommendations of the committee at its core.
There was a huge turnout today for the Oxfam Lobby Day event calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. I was proud to join other MPs and charities calling for an unconditional, immediate ceasefire.
Thank you to the charities who helped support it and to all attendees, who brought a powerful energy to the room.
Tonight, I joined Robert Peston on ITV alongside Conservative MP, Paul Scully, Government Minister, Kevin Hollinrake and environmental campaigner, Fergal Sharkey to discuss the hot topics of the day. We chatted about the appalling comments made by a Tory donor about Diane Abbott and extremism in the UK.
Up to 86,000 people could die in Gaza in the next 6 months due to war, disease and starvation. There’s one latrine for every 500 people and only 4 trucks of aid per day.
At the International Development Select Committee, we heard evidence about the appalling humanitarian situation from experts working on the ground. The Committee published our report on the ongoing crisis. You can read more about it here
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