Peter Babudu

The voice and vision for Camberwell and Peckham

My Story

Camberwell and Peckham has always been my home, and I’m proud my wife Juliana and I are raising our three children here. Growing up, I experienced inequality, exclusion and youth violence, like many in the area still do. A Labour Government ensured there was a council flat for my family when my dad was made redundant, and support to get me through my education. These experiences shaped who I am today.

Today I help lead a youth violence charity to keep our children safe, and for the last four years, I served as a Councillor in Rye Lane. I led the fight to slash school exclusions in Southwark, resulting in a new inclusion model for the borough, and launched the Southwark Pioneers Fund, the £2m first-of-its kind fund supporting women and ethnic minority-led businesses.

Camberwell and Peckham needs an MP with a voice and a vision that’s from our community, and for our community. Select me to be your candidate for MP and together we can bring about a society that gives everybody a chance to succeed.

About Me

I’m local, a leader and have the experience to be an effective legislator. I can work with all parts of our Labour movement and I am committed to bringing about a Labour Government that will deliver the radical change our country needs.

35+ years living here in Camberwell and Peckham

10+ years as a senior leader in social sector

4 years Southwark Councillor

3 years Scrutiny Commission chair

14 years Labour Party Membership

3 years CLP Membership Secretary

5+ years Co-operative Party membership

5+ years Unite the union membership

Member of GMB, USDAW, CWU, Unison and Community unions

My Pledges

I will deliver a better future for our children and young people

Our children deserve the best start in life. I will fight to slash child poverty, and boost investment in early years so that parents get the help they need for their children to flourish.
I will work tirelessly to end the Tories’ “hostile environment” policies

Camberwell and Peckham is being hit hard by the hostile environment and I will not rest until we end unproductive, un-British policies like No Recourse to Public Funds.
I will tackle rampant inequality in health and education outcomes, racial discrimination, the gender pay gap and beyond

I will prioritise protecting the vulnerable in our community, I will be a tireless ally to women, and I will prioritise tackling persistent racial inequality.
I will fight climate change, reduce economic inequality and deliver sustainable job creation

I will champion climate action in Parliament to deliver a green and just transition nationally, and I will prioritise local solutions shaped by our own Citizens’ Jury on Climate Change.
I will raise our community’s concerns on the national stage and always speak truth to power

As your MP I will open a constituency office and community hub within 100 days of my election.

Learn More

1. I will deliver a better future for our children and young people

Children in Camberwell and Peckham are being held back by soaring levels of child poverty, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. I will fight to lift children out of poverty, and get parents the help they need for their children to flourish. I understand the perspectives of young people and can push for solutions that will work for them, just as I’m doing nationally, leading the biggest community research project ever into youth violence.

2. I will work tirelessly to end the Tories’ “hostile environment” policies

Migrants, who bring energy and hard work to Camberwell and Peckham, are being hit hard by the Tories and I will work tirelessly to stop this. My parents came here as immigrants - under this Tory Government they would not have been able to stay and contribute to our community, the very place that shaped me and all the work I do today. I will fight to end unproductive, un-British policies like No Recourse to Public Funds. I will campaign to give people a genuine chance to become citizens that can contribute to our shared community.

3. I will tackle rampant inequality in health and education outcomes, racial discrimination, the gender pay gap and beyond

Our most vulnerable residents deal with the worst air pollution, insecure tenancies, educational disadvantages, constant cuts to public transport. Too many are being hit hard by the cost of living crisis, too many don’t feel safe on our streets. I will protect the vulnerable and those who are most exposed to inequality and poverty, including women and ethnic minorities. Building on Harriet Harman’s incredible legacy, I will be a tireless ally to women, continuing the unfinished work of embedding women’s equality. I will also prioritise tackling persistent racial inequality, which has no place in our diverse community.

4. I will fight climate change, reduce economic inequality and deliver sustainable job creation

I will champion climate action in Parliament, prioritising energy efficiency, jobs that help meet the UK’s net zero emissions target, affordable and clean public transport, and better air quality. I will fight for a green and just transition that improves the lives of this and future generations, as well as helping deal with the cost of living crisis. And I will deliver local priorities by working with my former Council colleagues to ensure implementation of the recommendations of Southwark’s recent Citizens’ Jury on Climate Change.

5. I will raise our community’s concerns on the national stage and always speak truth to power

I’m proud I grew up in both Peckham and in Camberwell, and my wife and I are raising three children here now. You deserve a local MP who understands our area inside out. I will always champion the interests of Camberwell and Peckham residents in Westminster. I am best placed to represent and promote this area’s priorities on the national stage. As your MP I will open a constituency office and community hub within 100 days of my election.

Endorsements

Cat Smith MP

Former Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs

I have worked alongside Peter and I know him to be a hard-working and diligent Labour man. When I imagine him as a Labour MP I see a well-respected and committed MP who would serve his constituency with enthusiasm.

Ruth Jones MP

Shadow Minister for Natural Environment and Air Quality

Peter cares about the big issues like climate change and he’s an effective organiser, locally and nationally. Peter is just the kind of representative we need in Parliament if we’re going to get Labour back in Government.

Leanne Pero

Movement Factory

Peter comes from our community and has been a fantastic supporter of our young people and local charities like the Movement Factory. Camberwell and Peckham needs a local MP who understands our community, listens, and will always prioritise our concerns.

Beverley Jackson

Parent, Peckham Rye

When my son was off-rolled, we tried so many routes to get him back into school with no success until Peter got involved. Peter is passionate about fighting for the kind of people in our community that are usually forgotten. We need Peter’s voice fighting for us in Parliament.

Musharraf Choudhry

Chair, Southwark Multi-Faith Forum, Rye Lane member

I think Peter would make a really good candidate for Camberwell and Peckham. He has been a great Local Councillor in the area and recognises the importance of tackling inequalities. Peter would bring just the kind of representation we need more of in Parliament today.

Radha Burgess

Champion Hill member, St Giles ward Councillor 2014-2022

It was a privilege to work with Peter, especially as part of the education and local economy scrutiny commission he led. Peter is a rigorous, insightful and demanding scrutineer. He grasps not only the big picture but also the detail of policy, applying his unique understanding of legislative, council and community context to the issues. He shaped policy for the better, held institutions to account and his work on education exclusion has been influential nationally. I’d be proud to have him as our MP.

Michael Spooner

Principal Consultant, M.A Spooner Ltd

Peter is the voice that Camberwell and Peckham needs. He has been fantastic at supporting community businesses throughout the borough with his work establishing the Southwark Pioneers Fund and getting extra support for Rye Lane businesses throughout recent road closures. He picks up causes that matter and puts in the work to represent his constituents.

Helen Dennis

Southwark Councillor, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Development

Peter’s track record locally and nationally is one of diligence & delivery. As a council colleague he was instrumental in designing the Pioneers Fund, working closely with local businesses on Rye Lane, and spearheading work on school exclusions drawing on his own lived experience. Nationally, he is a proven leader bringing people to together to address youth violence. If you want an MP who is Camberwell and Peckham through and through and who has the skills & determination to make a national impact, then vote for Peter!

Shade Abdul

Chair, Southwark Black Business Forum

Peter is an incredible individual passionate about serving communities in the local area and working everyday towards change, which is why I’m really excited to support his campaign to be the next MP for Camberwell and Peckham. Peter is always open, ready to listen and put in the work, which is why I’m sure that he would be a great representative for Camberwell and Peckham.

Martin Seaton

Southwark Councillor and Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business and Town Centres

Peter Babudu has my unreserved support. He is the genesis of crucial Southwark Labour policies. Our No School Exclusion Charter will save thousand from academic oblivion, and the Southwark Pioneers Fund supports women, the disabled, and others with barriers to starting a business.

Cat Smith MP

Former Shadow Minister for Voter Engagement and Youth Affairs

Ruth Jones MP

Shadow Minister for
Natural Environment and Air Quality