MP’s message for Christmas and 2017

IT HAS been a rocky and fraught political year, beyond all stretches of the imagination, in which the country has voted to leave the EU, Donald Trump has been elected President of America and in the middle of all that, for me personally, we’ve been through another frenetic Labour Party leadership election.

Society is divided at the moment but I believe Labour can reunite us.

Brexit and Trump were both votes against the political establishment and an economic system that has neglected most people for years.

It’s going to take time but I genuinely believe Labour’s vision for change is the only way forward to unite our country.

The problems we face as a country are no different from the problems we face in our own patch in West London – I hear it everywhere I go; housing is too expensive, wages are just not keeping up with the cost of living and the cuts to our NHS and social care have placed these vital services under intense pressure.

People are working hard just to stand still and they worry for the future of their children and the next generation.

Over the next year I will continue to work hard to get the best deal for our area. That means making sure that we protect local residents from the threat of the third runway and secure decent homes and jobs for local people in the new developments taking place in our area. We will also need to be vigilant in protecting our open spaces and green belt.

As we come together again with our families at this time of year for Christmas and New Year celebrations, I’m urging everyone to hold on to the hope that we can create a better future for ourselves and for our loved ones.

I’m looking forward to another year serving the community I love as your local MP and I want to wish every Gazette reader a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!