Like seaside rock, I am Eastbourne through and through but at Hogmanay, I feel my Scottish ancestry. A ‘Happy New Year’ to you and yours!
This is my final column of 2022 and in fine tradition, I have been looking back.
This time last year, I was gearing up for a return to teaching to support our local schools at the height of the omicron wave and staff sickness.
And just as the World started to emerge from covid, Russia invaded Ukraine and new challenges around the cost of living have made for a very challenging year.
In the challenges I face, I am supported in my parliamentary work by a small but dedicated team.
This last year in parliament, I have raised formally over 200 questions with government departments and spoken 91 times on issues like the NHS, the environment and planning.
I've received 24,000 emails on a whole range of policy questions; new crime legislation, business rates and issues of conscience like assisted suicide reflect the diversity of questions.
Alongside policy, Eastbournians have called on me to intervene and champion their personal situations. Over 8000 cases have been successfully concluded this year. There is joy in the office when we get a result.
We have turned round a demand for thousands of pounds to a refund instead, seen families reunited and, been able to wave off a bride and groom!
No system is perfect and I am glad, with the support of my excellent team, we have been the difference for so many.
Some of the campaign highlights of this year include our success in landing a £20 million bid from the government’s Leveling Up Fund. Another was the opening of our new state-of-the-art special school - five years in the making.
So many people who have been an inspiration for me in 2022, too many to name but Nellie Oakshott's brave parents and the lovely Maria, campaigning for those still shielding, come to mind even as I write.
2023 will bring opportunities and its own challenges but we can face almost anything when we pull together. That’s my resolution right there.
