I was only eight when my family moved from Malta to Britain during the Thatcher years. Even then I saw the devastation the Tories brought to council estates like mine – inequality, broken public services and the message that kids like me shouldn’t thrive.

When my dad got sick, I saw the absolute necessity of a properly funded NHS. When he died, I experienced the importance of the safety net put in place by Labour governments.

This past shaped my present determination to ensure opportunity is for all, not just the few. Since joining Labour at 19, I’ve given back– volunteering at my old school, securing justice as a solicitor for victims of phone hacking, and serving as a councillor and cabinet member for 12 years – where I made Lewisham the UK’s first borough of sanctuary for refugees.

I won my council seat from the opposition and through hard work turned it into a safe Labour seat.

I came to Stevenage to devote my time helping to get Labour elected in places we need to win, but often don’t. It’s now my home and I share your ambition for our town and villages.

I’ve won for Labour because I go to difficult areas for our party, find common ground, and win people over. Now I want to do that here. Because if Labour win in Stevenage, then Keir Starmer is on the way to Downing Street and together we can make this the best place it can be for all.