It has been another challenging year for my constituents and the country as Covid continued to impact lives and livelihoods. But as restrictions eased over the Summer, we felt like life was returning to normal, and celebrated a string of sporting successes from the Euros to the Paralympics.
The country has been inspired by so many new sporting stars, but also by our everyday heroes who work in the NHS; and the millions who helped their neighbours and supported their communities through volunteering.
Many of these people will be working over Christmas, and many others who work in health and social care, emergency services, and armed forces roles - and indeed many people in the private sector, too. We owe you a special thank you for your commitment over the holidays.
The next few weeks will again be challenging, but we also have the Commonwealth Games and Queen’s Jubilee to look forward to in 2022. And I am hopeful our situation will improve due to the success of the vaccination and booster programme. Please do get jabbed whenever eligible – it is the best thing we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
