You can't defend the indefensible. Anything you say sounds self-serving and hypocritical.

My London constituency in Hackney has one of the highest levels of gun crime in the country. But the problem is no longer confined to inner city areas. Gun crime has spread to communities all over Britain.

In politics, the people I most despise are those who have no values.

There are 101 websites out there for debate - this was a blatant last attempt to get someone to stand against Gordon Brown.

Outsiders often have an insight that an insider doesn't quite have.

My father was a manual worker.

I'm a West Indian mum and West Indian mums will go to the wall for their children.