A View from Westminster
THIS time of year we like to look forward to the prospect of a New Year and reflect on the year just past. Usually this is done with optimism for the future and nostalgia for the 365 days that have preceded it.
This year has, however, been seismic and I personally will be bidding it good riddance for many reasons. I will welcome 2017 with open arms and hope that whatever came from 2016, whether that was Brexit, Trump or Middle East carnage, a fresh year will bring with it the opportunity for calm, peace and tolerance.
From the bloody wars in Syria and Yemen and the accompanying images of children starving to death in besieged, bombed-out cities while the world’s great powers fight to create or maintain a sphere of influence in someone else’s country, to the start of possible disintegration of the European project, which kept peace in this continent for the past seven decades, I wonder if 2016 will be marked in the tomes of history as the catalyst it seems to have become.
It is easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom of what’s on 24-hour TV news. But a lot of good positive things do still happen.
Locally, the tide is turning and we are seeing an upturn of economic activity. I have met some amazing Kintyre people and businesses, and I feel a new sense of pride and enthusiasm – and rightly so.
Early in 2017, I am hosting an event at parliament to promote Machrihanish for the first UK Spaceport.
I am also working on bringing an international trade delegation to Argyll and Bute over the next 12 months.
Many of you will have big plans for the new year too. So despite the year that 2016 turned out to be, I want to wish each and every one of you a healthy, prosperous and happy 2017.
Let’s all take stock and make it happen.