Brixton Hill Councillor, and Leader of Lambeth Council - Steve Reed

Steve works hard to get better services for residents on local estates

When and why did you first become interested in politics?
My mum used to send me out delivering Labour Party leaflets when I was 7 or 8 years old, so I was always aware of politics. My grandad was also very political, and my family were active trade unionists. I joined the Labour Party on my 16th birthday and a trade union on my first day at work. I’ve always believed that if you want to change things for the better, you have to get involved.

What inspired you to become a councillor?
I had a role as a ward organiser in Brixton during the 1997 General Election, and after that Labour’s leader on the Council at the time asked me if I’d be interested in standing as a councillor. I’d always felt that Lambeth Council let local people down, so instead of moaning from the sidelines I decided to get involved and see if I could help make it work better for local people.

Steve led Labour back to power in Lambeth and set the Council a new agenda of “delivering quality, tackling inequality”

Has it been worth it?
Yes. It’s been very hard work but working for your local community is immensely rewarding. There are downsides, like not seeing enough of friends and family, but sometimes you can make a real difference for people. For instance, I’ve helped get a new secondary school built and opened and I’m now a governor there, and I helped set up the tenants group on Clapham Park Estate that bid for – and eventually won - £50 million to improve the estate and has recently won nearly £500 million to completely transform what was a crumbling estate into a landmark place with fantastic new homes and community facilities.

What's your greatest fear and your greatest hope?
My greatest fear is that we we’ll forget that intolerance led to the rise of fascism and that we’ll have to go through a similar period again. My greatest hope is that we can build a society that celebrates diversity and recognises the importance of every individual – and a politics that’s prepared to take the tough decisions necessary to tackle climate change before we permanently damage the world.

The Lib Dems left Lambeth’s roads in a terrible state. Steve is calling for new investment to repair more of them.

What's the first thing you would do if you ruled the world for a day?
Get the world to tackle poverty in Africa – in future centuries I think people will look back at how we’ve neglected global poverty in the same way we can’t understand why the Victorians tolerated absolute poverty in Britain.

What single thing would most improve your area?
Making sure everyone has a fulfilling job with a decent income.

What fictional character do you identify with, and why?
Robin Hood – steals from the rich, gives to the poor - a kind of early socialist!

What's your favourite film?
Ben Hur

What does your council do particularly well?
Lambeth puts on a wonderful event in Brockwell Park every summer called the Lambeth Country Show – it’s unmissable (and this year’s was the best ever!).

Steve met London’s new Transport Commissioner to agree millions of pounds of new investment for Lambeth

What do you consider your greatest political triumph?
Leading Labour back to power in Lambeth in May 2006 – Lambeth was the only council in the country that Labour won back, and we did it with a landslide. I’m immensely proud that means we’re now able to start tackling the poor quality services and social inequality that the Tories and Lib Dems left behind.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
Appearing in a pantomime at work dressed as one of Robin Hood’s merry men with green tights and a beard singing ‘She’s a Barbie Girl’ solo. My work colleagues used pictures of it as their screen savers for months afterwards.

What is the biggest problem with local government today?
Lack of participation by citizens – voting levels are appalling. I strongly suspect this is due to too many powers having been centralised.

Steve led the successful fight against Lib Dem plans to close down local shops across Lambeth

How would you solve it?
Decentralise and give people more control over their local communities.

Who is your political hero, and why?
Tony Benn was the national figure who inspired me as a teenager to get involved with the Labour Party. I don’t necessarily agree with all his views, but I admired his principled commitment to social justice, peace and equality. Apart from him, Nelson Mandela, the global hero of our age – for all the obvious reasons.

When and where are you most happy?
Enjoying a good meal and a laugh with family and friends.

What one book would you take with you to a desert island?
Can I take a survival guide? I don’t think I’d last long otherwise.

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