 Today, I was thrilled to host local residents at my coffee morning.
Over tea, coffee, and biscuits, we openly discussed what makes our community special. We also focused on practical steps to make it even better for everyone in Tooting. It was inspiring to hear so many thoughtful contributions. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who attended and shared their valuable views and ideas to improve our area.
This summer, I am offering young people in the local area a chance to shadow my team and I for a week in Parliament and my local office! If you, or anyone you know, live in the local area and are aged between 18 and 25 with an interest in politics, please fill out an application form here.  Recently, St George's Hospital announced that as many as 83 beds at the hospital are set to close. At a time when this new Labour Government is making progress on reducing the NHS waiting list, this feels as though it is a step in the wrong direction. Like many across our community, I share the deep concerns regarding this development.
In response to this news, I have written directly to Jacqueline Totterdell, Chief Executive of the St George's and Epsom and St Helier hospitals group, to raise my reservations, and I have raised a question directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in Parliament. This question can be found online here. Rest assured, I will continue to monitor developments on this closely and I will always stand up for our NHS. Although there has been improvements to mail deliveries in Tooting, far too many people are still experiencing delays to their post. I met with posties and senior Royal Mail figures today to raise my concerns and find a solution that works for everyone. Royal Mail have agreed to make a concerted effort to reduce delays and ensure six-day service. I will be meeting with them again in a month's time to discuss what progress has been made.  In a break from Westminster, I performed at the Furzedown Fun Day with my new band Parliament of Soul! The sun was shining, the people were smiling and, if I do say so myself, the entertainment was top class.
Watch me performing on my Instagram page here! Following the decision to relocate children's cancer services in South East England away from St George's Hospital, I met with the Health Secretary with a cross-party group of MPs to raise our concerns. When I visited the Pinckney Ward where this care is conducted, I met with Jackson, a former patient there, and his parents, who told me that such a move would be detrimental for parents, children and the hospital alike. I have urged the Secretary to review and reconsider NHS England's decision as soon as possible.  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.  New data published by the Environment Agency recently revealed that sewage was pumped in our local rivers, the Graveney and Wandle, for over 700 hours last year. This is equivalent to the entire month of February and demonstrates this Tory Government's complete disregard for our natural environment. Only Labour has a plan to clean up our waterways and hold water companies to account by fines for illegal discharges, blocking bonuses for bosses of companies that violate the rules and holding these bosses personally criminally liable for any violations.  History was made last Thursday as my friend and predecessor as MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan, was re-elected for an unprecedented third term as Mayor of London. After weeks of hard graft, the result was a decisive victory for Sadiq and Labour with our wonderful capital rejecting the divisive, toxic politics of the Tory candidate. I look forward to continuing to work with Sadiq to make Tooting and our wider city a greener, cleaner, safer and more prosperous place to live.  |
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