Speaking up for you and taking your voice to City Hall

Families were displaced overnight and left without comfort and a home.

In circumstances like this, it is my role to make sure those affected have their voices heard at City Hall. By raising the issue with the Mayor, we helped to promote the council’s fundraising appeal and keep the attention on those impacted.

I am proud to say that over £10,000 was raised, with residents being given temporary accommodation, offering some relief after this shocking event.

To this day, I remain deeply grateful to everyone who came together to support those affected.

At City Hall, perhaps my most important responsibility as a London Assembly member is my committee work.

Unmesh Desai took his support for those effected by the fire in Wennington to City Hall (Image: City Hall)

Over the last year, I have been involved in a wide range of committee discussions on London’s economy, transport system, policing and budget.

In each of these, I have had the opportunity to ask questions on your behalf, covering issues like transport links in east London to funding for neighbourhood policing.

This builds on my nearly eight year long campaign to get London moving east by pushing for better transport and safer streets across our boroughs.

This is my role as your Assembly member. Through my work in our communities and the conversations we have, I bring your concerns directly to City Hall.

Whether through committee work or by questioning the Mayor directly, I ensure your requests do not go unheard. 

Most recently for example, the Police and Crime committee issued a report on the experience of neighbourhood policing for young Londoners.

Barking and Dagenham has a younger population than much of the rest of London, and this report highlighted concerns that many of you often raise with me around trust in policing and the use of stop and search.

This will mean a fairer and more accountable Metropolitan police force for all of London.

It is examples such as this that remind me of the privilege I have in doing this job.

Representing you all means having your voice heard when decisions are made, so I encourage you to continue getting in touch with me through email so I can raise these concerns through my work at City Hall.

• Unmesh Desai is Labour London Assembly member for City and East.