There will be very few of us who will be sorry to see the back of 2020.

For so many, too many, it was a year of sadness and loss.
And yet there are genuine signs of hope. Scientists around the world have worked successfully to produce vaccines that will defeat Covid.

It’s vital the rollout is handled efficiently with high take up and that we all continue to exercise care.

We shouldn’t listen to the Covid deniers and those dangerous voices doubting the vaccines.

The truth that in adversity you see some of the best in people has again shone through.

There’s been a fantastic blooming of volunteering across Barking and Dagenham; the work of the Citizen’s Alliance Network is inspiring and is just one example locally.

If proof was needed these months have shown that there is such a thing as society and that it is alive and well.

On a personal note I commit to working throughout 2021 to support local people, businesses and voluntary organisations.

I will be pressing the government to step up to properly resource our local health services, schools and police.

Much greater effort is needed to offer positive futures for young people.

Failure to do so would be the biggest mistake the government could make in a long list over the last year.

That wonderful sense of unity that came from those Thursday evening doorstep clapping sessions and the rainbow posters in the windows must be followed up by government action and support.