There was cake and heated conversation as MP for Tottenham David Lammy visited Barnet to discuss his book about the causes of the London riots.

Members of Barnet Borough Council’s Labour group, library volunteers and local residents packed into Friern Barnet Library yesterday to hear Mr Lammy discuss the problems of worklessness, fatherlessness, consumerism and the desire for rights without responsibilities outlined in his book Out of the Ashes, published in the aftermath of the August 2011 riots.

He said: “I don’t think issues that started the riot have gone. I don’t think there will be another riot in my constituency because of the devastating effect it had, but the unrest remains.

“The Government commissioned a report with 140 recommendations in the aftermath of the riots, they have not responded to one of them. More likely than not there will be more riots.”

The MP said subsidised employment schemes like housebuilding could be used to reduce poverty and unemployment and poor accommodation, which he saw as root causes of disaffection - adding the problem of the “workless poor” was far more serious than the question of the deficit.

He added: “I hope the Labour group takes Barnet back in the next election. We need a more compassionate Barnet, one that is close to the people – as this library shows.

“It is very good the library is still here, it’s wonderful that it is so active and there were so many people engaged and asking questions. They deserve answers, and I put some of them in my book.”

Barrister Sarah Sackman, who chaired the event, said: “This is a real coup for the library. It is especially fitting that place to have this book signing because of the political symbolism of the place. It’s a lovely boost to the library.”

Labour group leader Alison Moore added: “It is great David Lammy could be here. The library is a space to come and share books and to come together to discuss ideas like this."

Mr Lammy was greeted with a cake baked in the shape of his book Out of The Ashes, made by Finchley resident Emma Mattocks, with locally sourced eggs and jam.

The cake was the idea of deputy Labour group leader Barry Rawlings. He said: “David has done book signings elsewhere, he came here to show his support for the library.

“I tried Emma’s cakes at an event at her daughter’s school and I thought why not have one tonight – I like eating cake.”