That was the year that was! A bit of a rollercoaster for me as we had a general election half way through but even then I knew that win or lose Inverclyde would continue to be well served by the myriad of voluntary and 3rd sector organisations that day in day out help and support the most vulnerable in our society. My office signposts people to these organisations on a daily basis and without them we would all be poorer. As I look back I owe a debt of gratitude to all these organisations and to the council employees and officers that have engaged with my office.
Christmas and the New Year are about hope. Disenchantment and weariness are the baggage we accrue when things don’t go well. The New Year offers the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over again. There is a palpable feeling that we can put all the negative stuff behind us and next year we can make things better. Or if you have had a cracking year, then you can build on that one and make next year even better. The New Year stretches out before us, pristine and unspoiled. It offers challenges and is not judgmental. We must make the best of it. Seizing every opportunity and filling every day. So I hope you get the Christmas you deserve and together we can make a better (or even better) New Year.
Finally, my thanks to my team in Crawfurd Street for their ongoing help, advice and support during the year. On that note my office is open, up to and including the 22nd and we are accepting donations for the foodbank. Between Christmas and New Year we are open on the 27th and 28th if you need assistance.
Ronnie Cowan MP 