Enfield North MP Feryal Clark reflects on Labour’s first year in government

Feryal Clark chats to a constituent at her Bullsmoor coffee morning

If you had told me as an awkward teenager I would one day become a government minister, I would never have believed you. Growing up in North London in the 1980s, it felt not just impossible, but beyond anything a kid like me could ever dare to dream of.

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are set to shape almost every aspect of how we live, work, and connect with each another. We need to ensure the UK not only keeps pace with rapid developments but remains a world leader. For many, this is daunting, but we must harness this new technology and make it accessible and safe for everyone.

The role has given me the opportunity to take part in remarkable moments, such as accompanying French President Emmanuel Macron on a tour of Imperial College. But even after all this cutting-edge innovation and the honour of engaging with world leaders, the part of this job that matters most is meeting the people of Enfield North – listening to their stories, standing by them in difficult times, and doing everything I can to help, whether the challenge is big or small.

My coffee morning surgeries have been a great success – not just for raising issues, but for bringing people together. Over a cup of tea and a chocolate digestive, we have shared concerns, ideas, and sometimes a few laughs. These face-to-face moments, hearing real-life stories and working together on practical solutions, are when I feel most at home, and most connected to the community I am proud to serve – the same community where I live, raise my children, and share in its everyday life.

In the last year, I have held surgeries in Ponders End, Whitewebbs, Southbury and Bullsmoor, with more planned in the months ahead. I also work closely with councillors on a wide range of local issues, from fly-tipping to housing and traffic concerns.

This work takes place amid extraordinary challenges. The last government left the country broken; public services decimated, the highest taxes in 70 years and our NHS on its knees. When I was re-elected, I knew the challenges were immense and change would take time. Like rebuilding a home while still living in it, it will take years, but the foundations are now firmly in place.

We have stabilised the economy and put more money in people’s pockets. In Enfield North, thousands gained up to £1,400 a year from the minimum wage rise. We’re tackling the housing crisis by reforming planning, building 1.5 million homes, and ending cruel ‘no-fault’ evictions. Thanks to £17m from the government, no Enfield families are stuck in costly, unsuitable hotel accommodation any longer.

The NHS is delivering more: £29bn extra funding, waiting lists down by 250,000, and 4.2 million extra appointments. Patients in Enfield will benefit from a new £3.5m radiotherapy machine, cutting delays.

Streets are becoming safer with £200m for neighbourhood policing and 13,000 extra officers and children are getting school-based nurseries and breakfast clubs – two were piloted right here in Enfield North – plus free school meals for half-a-million more pupils.

In an uncertain world, we are keeping Britain safe by raising security spending to 5% of GDP, the biggest increase since the Cold War.

This is only the beginning. Change takes time. But a year on I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and more determined than ever to make sure every family across Enfield North not only sees the difference, but feels it, in warmer homes, safer streets, and everyday life feeling just that bit easier.

Feryal Clark is the Labour MP for Enfield North. Constituents are welcome to get in touch:
Call 0208 804 4543
Email [email protected]

***This article was written prior to Feryal Clark’s departure from government in the ministerial reshuffle earlier this month***

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