As the roast turkey gives way first to turkey sandwiches, then to turkey parcels and finally to stock and wintery soup, thoughts turn to New Year and its reflections upon the year that has nearly passed and the one yet to come.
Whilst the family gathers round to count in the New Year, we all take a moment of gratitude for the last twelve months, raise a glass to those no longer with us and start to think about those elusive resolutions for 2014.
I for one am very grateful for 2013. Jo and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary (I am sure husbands will attest to the stress involved in picking an appropriate gift!) and we adopted Susie, an elderly rescue dog.
In Parliament, I finally secured Financial Education as a part of the new national curriculum from September, launched my campaign to help protect young drivers on our roads and was appointed as a Conservative Party Small Business Ambassador.
Locally, I have had hundreds of visits and meetings in Swindon, kicking off with a visit to Aldi and finishing off with tea and cake at the excellent Olive Tree Cafe. I have met thousands of fellow local residents, dealt with over three and a half thousand pieces of individual casework and responded to tens of thousands of emails.
In Swindon, we have much to be thankful for. 2013 has been a very positive for our Town and I am confident that 2014 will be too. The last 12 months have seen a 23.1% reduction in youth unemployment, seen the £16.5 million Regent Circus regeneration project kick off, seen the turf cut on the £35 million investment in the Outlet Centre, seen the completion of the £6 million Haydon Wick Flood Alleviation works and 81,483 Swindon residents have seen £700 put directly back in their pocket as a result of an income tax cut.
Nationally the numbers are positive too. The economy has accelerated in 2013, outperforming growth estimates as the recovery takes hold. 2.7 million of the lowest paid have been lifted out of income tax, we have the highest employment figures on record, this year has seen the total number of new private sector jobs reach 1.6 million, replacing those lost in the public sector fourfold. 90,000 16-18 year olds have been through National Citizen Service, £50 has been shaved off next year’s fuel bills and unemployment has dropped to 7.4%, lower than it was at the General Election in 2010.
As we welcome in 2014, let us be thankful for the year departed. I know I will resolve to work every bit as hard for Swindon and I look forward to what next year has to bring.
