New decade heralds change

This Friday ushers in not just a new year, but a new decade.

The 'noughties', only so known as they end, began with high hopes for the new millenium. But their ending marks a decade of excess, with financial meltdown leading to recession with all the problems this has brought to so many.

2010 will be a year of change. The country needs a new direction. The Government has run out of ideas and is now widely seen to have run its course.

The election will come and there is every prospect of a change in Government. Its legacy of public finances out of control, unemployment soaring, taxes rising, strikes recurring and widespread loss of trust in our politicians will make the task for a new Government a tough one.

The next Government needs to offer credible solutions to help people with the challenges we face every day. We will present our policies to show how we will tackle these problems to help restore Britain to the prosperous, safer, fairer, greener place we all want it to be.

I intend to campaign on my record of achievement as a strong voice for the Ludlow constituency, both locally and in Parliament. I hope political opponents will also campaign positively, despite early signs of campaign themes both by the governing party and local opponents, which suggest each plans to play the man rather than the ball, indulging in personal attacks rather than debating policy.

I look forward to the coming year and next decade with a sense of excitement and responsibility. I am excited about the prospect of being able to help deliver change to improve people's lives; and am prepared to shoulder my share of the responsibility to work hard to make Britain and the Ludlow constituency a better place for us to live.

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year.