I was born in 1970 in Tooting, and grew up there with my seven brothers and sisters. I joined the Labour Party when I was 15 as I wanted to be part of the opposition to Mrs Thatcher's government, which was destroying so many lives.

Coming from humble beginnings I feel strongly about social justice and equality of opportunities. I have been fortunate to have had a good education; however, this also places upon me a responsibility. At 23 I stood as a councillor in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and have been one since. Throughout my legal career I have represented the most vulnerable and disillusioned. Labour has achieved a lot since 1997: the minimum wage, record investment in schools and hospitals, full employment, economic stability and growth.

It has helped establish state-funded Muslim faith schools, such as the Gatton Primary in Tooting (where I am chair of governors). This government has strengthened laws against discrimination in public services like the police and immigration service, and introduced new safeguards against faith discrimination at work.

Labour abolished the "primary purpose" rule in immigration, which caused hardship to British Muslims wishing to marry someone from the sub-continent. New protection against hate crimes has also been introduced with specific offences where there have been racial or religiously aggravating features. Labour has also cancelled debt owed by the world's poorest countries and increased overseas development aid to record levels.

British Muslims represent over 3% of the population and yet make up only 0.3% of MPs. Labour already has more Muslim politicians than all the other parties put together. Three Muslims have also been selected in safe Labour seats. No other party has any hope of getting even one Muslim MP elected.

The Iraq war is in danger of distorting all this government's great achievements. I have consistently opposed the war. It is good Saddam has gone but Iraq should be run by Iraqis - including deciding who gets the contracts to rebuild the country. More needs to be done to fight the causes of terrorism. Our government is taking the lead on getting the Middle East road map back on the table and on the conference in London on Palestine, which can turn the current truce into concrete proposals for a just settlement. I am appalled by the barbaric treatment of Muslims in Guantanamo Bay and Iraq, in clear defiance of the Geneva Convention; also by the photographs recently made public from the UK court martial. But it is unfair to let this one issue overshadow Labour's overall record of success. After all, the Conservatives wanted us to go to war with Iraq sooner, without even trying for a UN resolution. The Lib Dems were originally against the war, then for it, then against it, and would have supported it with a UN resolution. It is perfectly possible to vote for or be a member of a political party and not agree with all its policies. I don't hesitate in saying that Labour has made some remarkable achievements since 1997 and given the opportunity can do a lot more. I look forward to continuing to receive the support, guidance, and prayers of the Muslim community and playing my part in improving the quality of life of my neighbours and peers, in Tooting and wider afield.

This article appeared in the March/April issue of Emel Magazine, the Muslim Lifestyle Magazine www.emelmagazine.com