London has a duty and responsibility to stand together with its Jewish citizens

Last week in Parliament, I felt deeply honoured to give my maiden speech before the House of Commons. I felt honoured to celebrate the rich political history, the tapestry of cultures and the spirit of community that defines my constituency of Hampstead and Kilburn. Crucially, I felt honoured to speak for the values upon which I was elected, particularly the need for collective responsibility in the face of adversity.

It is in that spirit that I have decided to sponsor an Early Day Motion as my parliamentary response to the anticipated presence of far right groups in Golders Green . The motion calls upon the Government to isolate the politics of hate and division, but also to celebrate the work being done to promote solidarity and celebrate diversity in the local area. Whilst some MPs may dismiss such motions as simple gestures, I would argue that the historic consequences of allowing bigotry to fester unchallenged are too grave to ignore.

As with several neighbouring constituencies of North London, Hampstead has seen an increase in antisemitic incidents over the past year. Whether it was swastikas being daubed on signs in Hampstead Heath, or concerned parents fearing for their children's safety in school, antisemitism has reared its ugly head and must continue to be met with an uncompromising, zero-tolerance response. My Early Day Motion forms a small part of the necessary efforts, which is why its wording sought to give a platform for the work of local campaigners.

The London Jewish Forum has assembled a broad tent of activists and community leaders under the banner of 'Golders Green Together'. Such work should be commended for its determination and scale of achievement, but crucially, the relentless positivity in its message. There are an abundance of reasons to celebrate areas such as Golders Green and we must not let those who want to disrupt our daily lives through fear achieve their goal by muting our pride.