Chuka Umunna: PMQs are 'organised anti-social behaviour'

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Labour's candidate for Streatham has already got a media profile most veterans MPs can only dream of.

Young, talented and black, Chuka Umunna is variously described as "the new Tony Blair" or even "Britain's Barack Obama".

He spoke to ePolitix.com about being a gym-obsessed "e-generation politician," his vision of the future of London and why proportional representation could re-engage young voters.

You grew up in Streatham. How important is it for you to win this seat?

I wouldn't be putting my self forward if I didn't think I was the best person to do this job.

I haven't moved around the country looking for a parliamentary seat.

When you grow up in an area like this and see the gross inequality in our country you become more focused to represent it at a national level.

It's Streatham that has shaped my conscience. This is my area and this is my community.

How do you think London has changed over the last 12 years and what are the challenges for the coming years?

Internationally I think London has changed on two fronts.

Firstly, the city has had a cultural explosion. If there is a major exhibition, a major theatre production or there is a new form of music, it is more likely to start here.

Secondly, the city has also gone from being just another pre-eminent global financial centre with New York, and Frankfurt, to now being, even post credit crunch, the most important financial centre in the world.

Without doubt the different vibe and feel that has happened under this Labour government has allowed the city to flourish.

I think London is now a much safer place to live.

If you look at the crime statistics, crime is down across the capital and living here, I see that. I'm not saying that there is no crime, but I do feel that it has decreased and the city is a much safer place to be.

In terms of future challenges, unemployment will be a major issue post credit crunch.

Even though it isn't comparable to statistics back in 1997, unemployment is rising within the capital and finding work has and will continue to become more difficult.

It will be the responsibility of the government to create opportunities and to make sure that these opportunities benefit everyone.

You are a keen user of Twitter, Facebook and you regularly upload short videos on to YouTube. Is social networking a political communication tool or simple vanity?

Well, you can't really go into politics if you aren't comfortable with a certain amount of self-promotion.

There is a certain amount of ego involved in social networking sites, but the different forms of e-media enable the modern day e-generation politician, like myself, to communicate with people in a way that previous generations were not able to do.

The benefits are for both the public and the politician.

E-media provides the public with an extremely accessible way to make contact with their representatives and parliamentary candidates.

You have spoken about how young people in the UK are apathetic about party politics but not necessarily about politics. You also wrote an article for the Guardian recently where you call for a fundamental change in British politics through a proportional voting system. Do you think that changing the system will help re-engage young people?

Changing the voting system is not a panacea, it is one of many reforms that would need to be implemented.

We need to change the culture of politics in this country.

Our politicians shout at each other in a "Punch & Judy" manner and never seek to find common ground with other parties.

This sends out the wrong message to the younger generation. Our current political culture is epitomised at PMQs, which is organised anti-social behaviour.

With a proportional voting system we should see a multi party system which I believe will be healthy for the country and lead to elected coalitions.

How important and how achievable do you think it is to have a representative parliament?

It is majorly important. When people don't see politicians that look, sound and feel like them, they don't feel inspired to engage in politics as they otherwise may have done.

Is it achievable? Well where there is political enthusiasm anything is achievable.

One of the biggest problems in making parliament more representative is that we're asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.

The white, middle class, privately-educated indivdual is at a distinct advantage when trying to get into politics because of the way the system is set up.

It isn't just a simple sexist or racist thing, but it is often a cultural thing.

Organisations generally recruit people who are similar to them and to get them to recruit people that are different is not easy.

What do you enjoy doing away from politics?

I love my music and have been heavily into music since I was a teenager. Like many people who grew up in London, I've been into urban music such as soul and hip hop.

I went through a phase when I was into jungle which then moved on to reggae, then quickly moved to house and funky garage.

I've been obsessed with music for a long time now and used to do some DJing when I was at university.

Music is very important to me. If I'm stressed or have had a very long day then music helps me unwind. Before I go out campaigning I always listen to old soul music.

For sports, I am a bit of a gym obsessive. This also helps me unwind relax and keeps me fit. I have always watched football and have always supported Crystal Palace.

In London I really like the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate. I wish I had more opportunities to go.

When I do get the time, I also like seeing my close friends who are not involved in politics.

Interview by Gurpreet Brar.