Tan Dhesi, 45, has been Slough’s MP since 2017 and is standing to be elected for a third time in 2024

Why do you want to represent Slough? Being the MP for Slough has been the honour of my life, and I know that if re-elected, being in the heart of a Labour Government will mean I can ensure more resources for Slough. So far, my whole time as an MP has been in opposition to a Conservative government desperate to cut our public services to the bone, and so I am hoping that for the first time I will be an MP in the party of Government and can make greater progress addressing some of the issues facing Slough.

What are the three biggest challenges facing Slough?

* Housing - we must ensure everyone has safe, affordable, and high-quality housing. The Tory-made housing crisis has left us with council waiting lists at an all-time high and rents being pushed ever higher. Labour will introduce new protections against damp, mould and cold in rental properties, put in place a ban on no-fault evictions, and build 1.5 million homes and ensure local resources and amenities can accommodate these new developments, to make sure we’re not just building homes, but communities too.

* Cost of living crisis - sky-high bills have put huge pressure on household budgets. This must be addressed so hard-working people can live comfortably. A Labour government will help families save up to £300 off their energy bills, end massive upfront payments for renters, and get our economy back on track to ensure we all feel better off.

* Crime - feeling safe in our community is a high priority for me. If elected into government, I’ll ensure that there is a contactable, named police officer in each neighbourhood, ensure police patrols of our high street and neighbourhoods, and tackle the scourge of knife crime by banning ninja swords, lethal zombie-style blades and machetes, and strengthen the rules to prevent online sales. As the Labour manifesto makes clear, every young person caught in possession of a knife will be referred to a Youth Offending Team with a plan in place for them to prevent reoffending.

What issues are you campaigning on, and what causes will you be championing if elected? Having been a passionate advocate for Slough for 7 years, I will always campaign on the issues I know matter to the people of Slough. Whether that is international human rights, housing, more resources for our public services, or our education system. For too long we have suffered under a Tory government that has overlooked our great town. If elected, I will be at the heart of, what I hope will be, a Labour Government and therefore able to ensure Slough is not left behind.

How will you help struggling high streets and town centres? We must level the playing field between online giants and our local high-street businesses. This means overhaul of the business rates system to make it fairer, encouraging- investment and nurturing entrepreneurship. Our high streets and town centres should also be accessible and safe places to enjoy, so a Labour government will tackle anti-social behaviour, and provide the services local people need, such as banking hubs and post offices. I also want to see local people having the right to buy community assets. High streets are the hearts of our communities, and they should be treated as such.

How can you help make sure people can afford to live here while protecting our green spaces and countryside from development? Over the past seven years, I have seen the impact of a lack of suitable housing in our area, with homelessness and overcrowding continuing to rise. We must ensure that everyone can have secure housing and a place to call home.

Under a Labour government, I will ensure our local community remains at the forefront of shaping our local area. To achieve the ambitious housebuilding this country desperately needs, we will take a brownfield-first approach and are committed to protecting the green belt, and releasing grey belt areas.

How will you help councils struggling with their finances? Can you help them to deal with the special educational needs crisis?

Local councils up and down the country, including Slough Borough Council, have experienced an unprecedented level of cuts over the past ten years at the hands of this Conservative Government. Funding to our own council has been slashed by nearly 40% in real terms in the last 6 years alone, and has been compounded by the Section 114 notice and the pandemic. I know this has impacted all manner of services, leaving residents feeling short-changed. It is local elected councillors who oversee the council, not the MP, so whilst I have had no involvement in the running of our council, throughout my time as MP I continued to work with the council to press for better services for local people, including on the SEND crisis. In fact, this is a matter I have continually brought to the attention of the Government, including instigating debates and questions to Ministers. All children have a fundamental right to high-quality education suited to their needs.

Will you want the government to continue the Household Support Grant? I would want to ensure that all constituents can live without choosing between heating and eating. For too long, families have struggled and a Tory government who has had their head in the sand - a Labour government would tackle the cost-of-living head-on by launching GB Energy to bring down bills, reduce food prices and expand access to childcare.

What car do you drive (do you drive)? I drive an electric car.

What's your favourite film or TV show? My favourite film is Avatar.

When was the last time you cried? When Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool! Gutted!

Have you ever taken illegal drugs? No.