MP wishes local people a very merry Christmas

12.03.11pm GMT Wed 21st Dec 2005

Merry Christmas

Mark's Christmas message: This year, I am looking forward to a quiet family Christmas in my new home in Cheadle. It has been a remarkably busy year for me and, like many local people, I am looking forward to a brief period of rest before my hectic schedule kicks in again in the New Year.

It has been an extraordinary past 12 months during which time we have experienced a general election and a by-election in Cheadle. Whilst it was a huge honour to be elected as Member of Parliament for the local area in July, the year will always be overshadowed by the loss of Patsy Calton. We lost a great champion for Cheadle whose contribution to the community will not be forgotten.

Whilst I hope to enjoy a couple of relaxing days over the next week or so, not everyone will be able to put their feet up this Christmas. Over the past week, I met some of Cheadle's fire fighters, many of whom will be on duty over Christmas and I have also been to visit some of our area's postal sorting offices where staff are working round the clock to deliver our cards and presents. In addition, there are a host of emergency service workers and others in Cheadle and beyond who will be on-call. They all deserve our thanks and praise.

There are also a huge number of local volunteers who will be giving up part, if not all their Christmas to assist and organise local charities, community groups and other organisations, many of which help some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Cheadle is fortunate to have a thriving voluntary sector without whom so many local services simply would not exist. Their work goes on all year round and they too deserve our gratitude and admiration.

For me, the New Year looks likely to prove just as much of a challenge as the past 12 months. It is a constant battle in Parliament to try and get the best deal for local services in Cheadle and I will continue that struggle on a range of issues. The forthcoming year is likely to see important developments on issues like the A555 relief road and funding for health services amongst many others and I hope I can provide a strong voice for our area at Westminster.

At a local level, I will be continuing my street surgeries across the constituency and meeting as many local residents, community groups and businesses as I possibly can. Over the past few months I have met hundreds of local people and have tried to assist many more. Any local residents who think I might be able to help them on any matter can contact my office to arrange a meeting with me.

I wish all local residents a very merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year.