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.

Since the beginning of this terrible violence in October 2023, I have been unrelenting and unequivocal in my calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. I have equally been clear that the October 7 attacks by Hamas were completely abhorrent, and hostages must be released.

​Tens of thousands of innocent lives have been lost, with each story as heartwrenching and tragic as the last. There are no words for the pain, suffering and anguish that millions have experienced as a result of this awful war. This ceasefire deal, therefore, is a welcome and significant step towards peace.

We must remain cautiously optimistic that this fragile peace will hold. Ahead of the ceasefire taking effect on Sunday 19 January, we have seen the escalation of strikes on Gaza by the Israeli Defense Forces and the international community must do everything to ensure that the terms of the ceasefire are met in full and on schedule.

Only by ending the violence and bloodshed, as well as releasing the hostages, can reconstruction of the devastated Gaza Strip begin. The influx and distribution of urgent humanitarian aid must be a priority, as hundreds of thousands of Gazan civilians are starving and on the brink of famine. Over 2 million people on both sides of the border have been displaced from their homes, with many of them now having nothing to which they can return.

Regardless of the events of the next few weeks and months, I will continue to be a vocal proponent of peace, reconciliation and a sustainable two-state solution.

​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.

​What 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.

​After 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.

​Thousands 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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

​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.

Thank you to everyone who has been in contact and shared their views on assisted dying in recent weeks. Before deciding how to vote, I have carefully considered the provisions of the legislation, taken into account the views of those in Tooting, as well as discussing this at length with experts. 

There are deeply felt personal, spiritual, philosophical and moral opinions held by individuals on both sides of this debate. Death is always a difficult subject. Our own death and the loss of those we love is a sad fact of life that each and every one of us will deal with at some point. As a doctor, death is something that my colleagues and I must confront every day. As a daughter, the death of my father from a terminal illness was a very eye-opening and traumatic experience, one which I’d wish on no-one.

After much thought, reflection and engagement with the community I represent, I have decided to vote against the Bill at its Second Reading.

The concerns I hold with the current proposals are multifaceted. I have spoken to key organisations and charities who have detailed their concerns that this legislation will have a disproportionate impact on disabled and BAME individuals. I am further worried that the current legislation does not go far enough to eliminate risks of coercion. Currently neither of the two doctors that would sign off on the process need to know the patient or their family. Nor are they mandated to seek a specialist clinical assessment. It is also important to me that we ensure people considering ending their own lives have access to good quality, well-resourced end-of-life care. This is currently not the reality for much of the country owing to a lack of resources. 

As such, moving forward, I will continue to advocate for improvements to palliative care, which can empower many individuals at the end of their lives, to enjoy their last moments with loved ones in as much comfort as possible and with peace of mind. 

There is no doubt that my colleagues have decided their vote, regardless of which side, with the very best of intentions. It is right that this Bill is being considered under a free vote, where every MP can vote with their conscience, and I am pleased that this has been a largely respectful, measured debate. I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me regarding this deeply personal issue - I have really listened. If the legislation passes today, there will remain opportunities to amend the Bill. I will look at any potential changes to the legislation closely.

While I cannot support the Bill at this stage, this debate was needed and the issue is very important to the public. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, I hope we can all continue to be as respectful and understanding towards one another as possible.