Simon Danczuk MP

Fighting for Rochdale, Littleborough and Milnrow

New Year's message

The New Year is traditionally a time of hope and renewal, when celebrations lead us confidently into a year of fresh opportunity. With Britain hosting the Olympics this year the stage should be set for the whole world to see a nation that’s self-assured and upbeat.

However, with unemployment predicted to soar to almost three million in 2012 and inflation running high, a different national picture is emerging. Far from striding confidently into 2012 Britons are anxious about their future, worried about their jobs and experiencing the biggest fall in living standards since the 1920s.

This is not how it should be. David Cameron promised voters he would establish the “most pro-business, pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda ever unleashed by government”. So what did he do? He cut so deep and fast it wasn’t just the public sector that felt the consequences. Then he introduced the largest business rates increase in 20-years. Growth collapsed, unemployment soared and Britain ended the year having one of the lowest rates of growth in Europe and one of the highest rates of inflation.

No wonder the head of the Confederation of British Industry said the Government had made matters worse.

But while we should speak out against Government failure we should also end the year speaking up for local successes.

This year young people in Rochdale achieved fantastic GCSE success and our sixth form college is now in the top five per cent of all A level institutions in the country. 

Our youth services, police and other local agencies worked tirelessly to make sure the riots never spread to Rochdale and the English Defence League march passed without any trouble. A slew of Rochdale businesses won awards and were praised for their innovation and resilience. Two local businesses were also included in the first round winners for the Regional Growth Fund.

Our town continued to act as a beacon for volunteering with organisations like Rochdale CVS going from strength to strength. We were also named World Capital for Co-operatives. And I was delighted to see Rochdale swimmer Keri-Anne Payne become the first British athlete to be selected for the London Olympics.

There is much to be proud of in our town and we can all draw inspiration from the can-do spirit and a willingness to go the extra mile of the people mentioned above.

I’d like to wish you all a very happy 2012.