A cause for pride and celebration

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Little did I ever think I would be telling my constituents in East Ham, even six months ago, that President Barack Obama would be on their doorstep at the ExCeL Centre in Newham. That is a cause for celebration in itself.

And it is a great testimony to the government's regeneration programmes in this great city that world leaders are holding this meeting of tremendous global importance in east London.

Even yet, as I make my way from my constituency to Westminster, I can hardly believe the transformation in some parts of the city. Helping to bring about such a marked improvement in people's lives is what puts a spring in my step.

I have championed race equality all my political life and there is no finer exemplar of multicultural living than London.

I consider it a privilege to share the city with the many friends I have made as I have gone round the world preparing for the G20 and I have often been struck by how warm they feel towards our capital. The summit will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase London. It is likely there will be inconvenience as the leaders and their entourages make their way around the city but it will be only temporary.

The London summit will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of economies throughout the world.

The stakes are high. We want to re-store trust and confidence in the banking system to bolster the recovery and secure jobs. We cannot do it alone.

Of course, there will be an immediate benefit to London. Thousands of hotel rooms have been booked, restaurants and retailers will benefit and there will be a spin-off to a multiplicity of businesses within the city.

I know we shall do our visitors proud.