New Year Special

A few days ago I presented George Wake of the Tyneside Cyrenians with a ‘Tackling Drugs Award’.  George and his colleagues seek out drug users and offer support.  Put simply, they save lives.  Before that I went to an event of a local church where the Minister not only opens the doors to the community but provides support for elderly residents and young people.

A few weeks ago I was invited to meet the Tynemouth Air Cadets and their superb leader Flight Lieutenant Will Close-Ash who saved the lives of 6 Belgian walkers in the Alps this summer.

Add to them, the police officers who keep us safe, the health workers who keep us well and the teachers who inspire the next generation.  Week in week out I meet people in my surgeries who work hard, care for others and play by the rules.  What do they have in common?  They are the best of our community, they are prepared to go the extra mile on behalf of others.

No one could have predicted at the end of 2007 how our country’s fortunes would have changed in 2008. 

Following the economic downturn born out of the credit crunch in the United States we face big challenges and great uncertainty.  But I’ve met enough people this year in our local community to be confident we’ll get through.  Britain’s not broken; our country is full of people who embody the best of our community and who are at their best in adversity.

So when anyone asks can we get through an uncertain 2009 stronger and fairer than before?  In the words of the most exciting prospect for a New Year, “Yes, we can!”

Happy New Year!