Letter from Parliament - Tony Lloyd MP

Tony Lloyd MP

As we come to the end of the Christmas period, when those who are traditionalists take down their decorations, I want to wish everyone through Rochdale Online, all very best wishes for the New Year.

Many of us will be determined to keep to our newly made resolutions, not drinking through January, giving up chocolates or whatever. Some will keep to them and some will not.

I hope everyone will want to live, breathe and work to see the great town of Rochdale get ever better through this year.

All of us will want to give thanks to those in our public services who worked through the holiday period keeping us safe and well looked after. Some gave up Christmas with their families, others New Year. We owe them real thanks.

Like many, I was struck by the dedication of our volunteers who cooked meals, opened their buildings and their hearts to people who needed food and companionship at this cold time of year. It is not right in 21st century Britain that we see growing numbers of people sleeping rough.

Amongst my resolutions must be to demand that any government works to help those in need, whether homeless, low-paid workers or generally the many Britons who have seen prices shoot up and wages stagnant.

Rochdale needs change, our country needs change and in this new year let us see a Britain where hope is there for everyone.