Newly re-elected Labour MP for Tottenham, David Lammy, is a man with a mission as he explained to reporter Johnathan Schroder last week 2005 has been a year of highs and lows for David Lammy, but, as he sets out his plans for the future while sitting in a greasy spoon cafe in Turnpike Lane, it is obvious that his dreams for rejuvenating Tottenham are still burning brightly.

He started the year happily in January by marrying artist Nicola Green, who he met at a singles party organised by ousted Bethnal Green and Bow MP Oona King. Then things got even better.

In May he was re-elected as Tottenham MP with the second-biggest majority in London and awarded a ministerial role in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

However, Mr Lammy's world was shaken, along with most Londoners, by the terrorist attacks of July 7.

Ten Haringey residents perished in the explosions, as did Mr Lammy's close childhood friend, James Adams, from Peterbrough.

Reflecting on events, Mr Lammy said: "It was disturbing, chilling and unbelievable, but we need to remember that the vast majority of our black and minority population share the values of all of us justice and fairness.

"We in Haringey and Tottenham have a lot to be proud of in how our communities live side by side."

Talking about his vision for the future, it is clear he wants to see the beginnings of a real and permanent revamp for Tottenham.

He said: "People want to see the fabric and structure of Tottenham regenerated.

"When I was elected five years ago, I fought very hard to make sure we were cleaning the streets in a more effective way and the council responded with the Better Haringey initiative. The same must happen with regeneration. If young people see an area as run-down, then they will treat it accordingly."

He believes that innovations such as quality youth centres, better education facilities and instilling civic pride would have a domino effect on many of the other problems faced by Tottenham, including the serious blight of gun violence.

In fact Mr Lammy has first-hand experience of gun crime, as he witnessed the aftermath of a drive-by shooting in the Broadwater Farm Estate in April. Emergency crews were slow to send an ambulance into the unsecured area to treat the injured teen, which resulted in Mr Lammy calling for urgent talks with Haringey borough commander, Chief Supt Stephen Bloomfield.

On education, he is hopeful that the new state-of-the-art sixth-form centre planned for White Hart Lane will encourage more youngsters to study and achieve qualifications in Haringey.

He said: "Our schools are improving year-on-year, but they still have to get better."

Following the meeting in the London Cafe, a busy Mr Lammy was heading to Finsbury Park Mosque to discuss the fears of local Islamic leaders in the wake of the London terror attacks, before heading back to Tottenham Town Hall for a surgery with 80 constituents.

A hectic life, but a fulfiling one, according to the 33-year-old lawyer, who is tipped for a big future in politics.

He said: "I have a job that matters so much to the future of Tottenham. I am honoured to have been elected and I will continue to work hard for all the people of Tottenham."