“Parents' evenings were a big event in our social calendar and school reports were taken very seriously; 'C' was not a grade my mother recognised. Her favourite shop was WH Smith, where every week there would be a new book or pen or calculator to buy. But most importantly, she was my best friend.”

British politician, born 1972

David Lammy is a British politician and Labour Party member, born in 1972. He has been the MP for Tottenham since 2000 and has held senior posts in government, including Foreign Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Justice, and Lord Chancellor. Before those roles, he served in junior ministerial positions under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown from 2002 to 2010. His public work has centered on national government and foreign affairs, alongside his long parliamentary career representing Tottenham.