Angela Constance - MSP for Almond Valley

Appreciative

Angela Constance

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year like no other with the pandemic presenting the biggest challenge of our lifetime.

No family has been left unscathed and many are living with bereavement, social isolation and financial hardship. Nevertheless, across West Lothian communities have pulled together.

Neighbours have looked out for each other, voluntary organisations and community groups have provided vital support.

Our public servants in the NHS and local authority have worked harder than ever, and we have a new appreciation of carers, drivers and supermarket workers.

To everyone who has brought us to this turning point, I say thank you.

With the roll out of the biggest vaccination programme in the history of our NHS we can now look to life beyond the pandemic.

We often talk about returning to ‘normal’and we are all looking forward to better times with our family and friends, enjoying the possibilities of travel and live our lives with no restrictions. However, the pandemic has shone a light on everything that is good about Scotland but also on everything that we must change.

And like the post-war years there is now a greater desire and determination to build back better.

This Christmas will be difficult but we can look to the new year with hope in our hearts and a renewed focus on what matters the most – family, friends, community, good health and a fairer Scotland.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.