Wes Streeting is the Labour MP for Ilford North. He was elected at the 2015 General Election, having previously been Deputy Leader of the London Borough of Redbridge.
He has worked outside politics as a senior manager and Chief Executive for a number of voluntary sector organisations working to improve access to education: from an anti-bullying campaign working with over 10,000 schools across Britain to running a national charity that supports people from under-privileged backgrounds to gain entrance to university.
Wes is a former President of the National Union of Students and a current member of the Treasury Select Committee.
1. What is your current position?
I’m currently the Member of Parliament for Ilford North which covers most of the stations on the Hainault loop of the central line! I’m also a Member of the Commons Treasury Select Committee, which looks closely at our economic and fiscal policy.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Being one of the few kids on free school meals to make it to Cambridge University and winning Ilford North from the Tories against the odds at the last general election. Growing up in a working class, single parent family, you have to get used to having the odds stacked against you!
3. What inspires you?
There are loads of historical figures and political thinkers that I draw inspiration from, but on a very practical level I'm out knocking on doors every week in my constituency. The feedback I receive informs my working priorities in Parliament and makes sure that I keep my feet on the ground and rooted in the community I'm sent to Parliament to represent.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Money. Politics is expensive and it's not hard to understand why Parliament remains unrepresentative. I gave up working full time to fight Ilford North. My budget was so tight that I took my last £20 out of the cashpoint in my first week! If we're serious about having a Parliament that looks like our country, we need to make it easier for people to be involved.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My nan was a real political inspiration. She fought for tenants' rights in the East End of London when I was growing up and was a bit of a firebrand in her local Labour Party.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
I genuinely love my job and feel very lucky to have a job where I love every part of it. Of course it's a massive privilege to be able to speak up for Ilford North in Parliament, but I'm a people person and also love the community angle: helping people out, visiting community groups and events and knocking on doors.
7. And the worst?
Immigration and housing cases. I often feel completely useless because people are being failed by a broken immigration system and a housing crisis. It's frustrating being in opposition. I want to see Labour back in power tackling these issues.
8. What are your long term goals?
I’d like to be re-elected! My dream job in politics is Education Secretary. Education changed my life and is one of the most powerful tools for equality we have.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I’d want to improve access to opportunity so that children from the poorest backgrounds can have the same chances in life as those from the wealthiest. I’d bring back the goal of ending child poverty.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
Clement Attlee. I'd love to know what he'd make of the challenges facing the Labour Party and the welfare state his government created.
