My London by Cllr Heidi Alexander

Cllr Heidi Alexander is a Labour councillor who has represented Lewisham's Evelyn ward since winning a by-election in 2004. She is deputy mayor of Lewisham and is the borough's cabinet member for regeneration.

Q. What motivated you to enter local politics?
A. I found myself commenting on what should happen locally both in the party and in Lewisham and I thought I should put my money where my mouth was. I also felt - and still feel - that there are lots of very good talkers in local politics and not as many good listeners. I suppose I wanted to try to redress that balance in a small way.

Q. How long have you lived in London?
A. Nine years.

Q. What's the best thing about living in London?
A. I am tempted to say the markets - Colombia Rd, Borough, Spitalfields, Deptford - I could go on! However, I think that downplays the fact that we live in a fantastic world city where people get on with one another and where people, irrespective of where they come from, have the chance to succeed.

Q. What's the worst?
A. Two things: being stuck in someone's armpit on a rush hour train and the cost of housing.

Q. If you could change one thing about the capital, what would it be?
A. I'd like to see a fairer distribution of wealth. I find it very difficult to accept that individuals can take home hundreds of thousands of pounds in city bonuses when community organisations in Lewisham are struggling to scrape together tens of thousands of pounds to provide much needed services.

Q. What are the top three issues people bring to your surgery?
A. Housing (overcrowding and lack of affordable homes), housing (repairs and maintenance service) and housing (anti-social behaviour from neighbouring properties).

Q. Will the 2012 Olympics bring long-term benefits to London?
A. Yes. I believe that it will inspire many Londoners to get more involved in sport, that it will provide state of the art sporting facilities and that it will deliver real improvements to the environment in this part of the capital. As someone who sees the effects of the housing crisis in London on a daily basis, I also hope that a really significant proportion of the new housing will become available for social rent following the Games.

Q. What's your favourite building in London?
A. I have so many so it's hard to name just one. I love the Tate Modern, Canary Wharf tube station and the new Goldsmiths building in New Cross. There are also some amazing Victorian houses on the Talgarth Rd!

Q. Name one London building you think should be demolished
A. I find the recent debate about Robin Hood Gardens very interesting and have to say I agree with the majority of residents (and not Lord Rogers) that they should go.

Q. Describe yourself in three words
A. Straightforward, hates losing.

Q. What historical figure do you most admire (and why)?
A. I'm not very good with historical figures so am going to have to go with someone current day - Ellen McArthur for single-minded determination.