Steve was elected MP for Croydon North in 2012. Steve was a key member of Sir Keir Starmer’s successful leadership campaign.  Following his election as Labour Leader, Keir appointed Steve to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. In November 2021, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor, before moving being appointed as the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in October 2023.

Steve set up Labour Together, an influential grouping that brings together Labour politicians from all traditions in the party to reshape it for the future. He is also Hon. President of the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network, and Vice-President of the Local Government Association.

Prior to entering Parliament, Steve was elected Leader of Lambeth Council in 2006 where he pioneered the co-operative council model that gives communities a bigger say in local decision-making and introduced the UK’s first ‘public health’ approach to reducing violent youth crime. In 2013, he received an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to local government. 

Prior to entering politics, Steve worked in publishing for 18 years.