Chuka Umunna, Labour, Streatham

Name: Chuka Umunna

Candidate for: Streatham

Party: Labour

Votes: 20,037

Profile:

Health

In Streatham, we have built six new or improved health centres providing world-class facilities on your doorstep. Thanks to Labour's huge investment in the NHS, waiting times have fallen drastically. In Lambeth PCT the number of patients waiting more than 13 weeks fell from 954 to zero between 2002 and 2008.

Education

Labour has transformed education for the better; we have 60 more primary school teachers and 110 more secondary teachers in the Streatham constituency since 1997, while three new schools have opened with three more on the way. Results have also improved across the board, with the number of students getting five good GCSEs in Streatham’s schools rising by 32.9 per cent. To build on these achievements, Labour will expand one-to-one tuition to ensure no child is left behind.

Crime

Labour introduced safer neighbourhood teams which have made a real difference in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour. We have also boosted police numbers and introduced new minimum sentences. To build on this, our manifesto pledges the right to legal injunctions for repeat victims of antisocial behaviour alongside new powers to tackle youth offending.

Transport

Last year, I launched the campaign to bring the Tube to Streatham, I have campaigned against cuts to Thameslink services from Streatham beyond Blackfriars from day one and fought for First Capital Connect users who have experienced unacceptable disruption. I am pleased with the improvements we've made to Streatham's stations to increase security and accessibility.

Economy/jobs

In autumn 2008, there was a real possibility that people wouldn't be able to take cash out on Streatham High Road because of the failures of banks. The decisions the government took prevented economic collapse, and we have prioritised helping people through difficult times. Unemployment is below half what it was in the 1990s recession here.

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