A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE from Nigel Huddleston, MP for Evesham
CHRISTMAS will offer all of us a chance to take a deep breath and reflect on what has been an astonishing year of change.
Little did we know back in January that come the festive season, the UK would be gearing up to leave the European Union, a former reality TV star would be preparing to move into the White House and Leicester City would be Premier League champions.
Many will look back on 2016 and label it as a year of division and polarisation; political parties have undergone seismic changes and the labels “Brexiter” and “Remainer” have become embedded in the public consciousness.
But perhaps the lesson we should really take from this most momentous of years is one imparted by someone who was so cruelly taken from us in June.
The late Jo Cox MP said in her maiden speech that “we have more in common than that which divides us”, and as we move into 2017, perhaps it is this message that we should all carry with us and remember.
I would also like to take the opportunity to express my immense gratitude for our armed forces abroad and at home, who selflessly commit themselves to the protection of this country and its people.
Many servicemen and servicewomen will miss the opportunity of being with their loved ones this year while we enjoy Christmas with our families.
The same is true of the hard-working men and women in the emergency services, who willingly sacrifice their Christmas so that we can be safe.
Finally on behalf of the Huddlestons and my office, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and exciting New Year.
