Buckinghamshire MPs reveal New Year's Eve messages

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After a busy year across the county and in Westminster, the politicians have now revealed their New Year's Eve messages.

From wishing residents well to reflecting on their careers to discussing world peace, here is what they said:

Steve Baker, MP for Wycombe

Happy new year and my best wishes for 2024 to people in Wycombe. I hope this will be a good year for everyone. I intend to play my part in delivering an effective and stable year of Government.

Predicting the future is always difficult but I am sure artificial intelligence will have an increasing effect on all our lives.

Following last year’s summit at Bletchley Park, the Government is committed to the UK being a world leader in AI safety, giving peace of mind so the countless benefits of AI can be captured safely for future generations.

Finally, I know we can all agree democracy is a good thing and it will be hard for people to avoid talking about politics this year; there will be elections taking place in many parts of the world, but particularly in the UK and USA.  I am looking forward to the general election campaign.

While there is still more work to do, our economy has turned a corner with inflation down, growth up, and our improved economic outlook allowing us to cut taxes.

I know many writers to the Bucks Free Press letters page enjoy taking me to task but I will be more than happy to talk about what I and the Government have done for our area and across the country.

Sarah Green, MP for Chesham and Amersham

There is always a choice to be made with a New Year message. Does one look at the year that has passed or look to the year ahead?

Since I have written so many articles this year focussed on various challenges, I am looking ahead to 2024.

Much as I love to get out into nature and enjoy walking through our gorgeous woodlands and countryside, it’s the people that make a place.

And I continue to be inspired by the sheer number of projects and initiatives led by local people.

From charities focused on helping those in need, to those working on a specific policy or campaign theme, or simply looking to benefit our local area – we have a wealth of dedicated, selfless, motivated volunteers in our midst. I just know that I am going to meet yet more people trying to make a difference in 2024.  

My regular visits to local schools and youth groups also fill me with great hope. Our young people ask the best questions! Time and again they demonstrate insight and intelligence, offering creative solutions and suggestions for the challenges we face.

With their passion for what’s possible, they never fail to make me optimistic about the future.

I know that for some readers, 2023 may have been extremely difficult. You may not feel any sense of optimism. Whatever the cause of your struggles, I hope that they ease – and that 2024 is kinder to you.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Joy Morrissey, MP for Beaconsfield

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

It is the honour of my life to serve as your Member of Parliament. As I enter my 5th year representing you, I wanted to share two of my priorities for the year ahead as the local champion for Beaconsfield, Marlow, Gerrards Cross and the South Bucks villages.

I promised when I was elected that I would do all I could to protect our Green Belt and I remain steadfast in my determination to do so. 

Our green spaces are one of the reasons that makes this such a special place to live and once they are gone we can never get them back. I will continue to work with residents where inappropriate development on the Green Belt is planned.

Last year the Government made significant investment in the NHS to help it recover from the impacts of the pandemic.  I want to make sure that residents feel the benefit of that investment in our local health services.

I know that access to GP appointments remains a key concern for local residents.  Late last year I ran an NHS survey across the constituency to get the views of local people.

You can still provide me with your views via the survey on my website and social media. I will be presenting the findings to the Health Secretary and local NHS leaders. 

I hope the coming year brings you and your loved ones much joy and happiness.

Rob Butler, MP for Aylesbury

Every new year brings optimism and good intentions. As 2024 begins, we face the world's challenges with renewed hope and vigour – and especially a determination to achieve victory for Ukraine and take steps that bring us closer to peace in the Middle East.

At home, I am confident that the recent falls in inflation will enable the Government to take more action to strengthen the economy, which is so important to help local residents with the cost of living.

I know from my many visits to Bucks businesses that there are brilliant skills and experience here, and I'm determined to play my part in unleashing their potential.

Over the coming months, I’ll also be continuing to press ministers to unlock the funding we need to improve our town.

That means approving money for the Southeast Link Road so we can get shovels in the ground and ease the traffic congestion that currently causes so much disruption.

It also means helping Bucks Council to regenerate the town centre, making it an even more attractive place for residents and visitors alike.

As 2024 unfolds, I remain absolutely committed to being a strong voice for Aylesbury – both in Parliament and locally. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Greg Smith, MP for Buckingham

As the sun rises on 2024, may I first and foremost wish everyone across Buckinghamshire a Happy New Year.

2023 had a number of highs, not least getting my own law onto the statute books through the Private Members Bill process, that will help combat the scourge of rural crime and thefts of power tools suffered by our various trades people.

But 2023 also had some horrific lows around the world, in particular the horrors of the continuing war in Ukraine at the hands of Putin and the heart-breaking terror attack in Israel on 7th October that led to the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.

So firstly, let us all hope and pray that 2024 will be the year that sees victory for Ukraine and defeat for Hamas and wider terrorism in the Middle East.

Here at home, with inflation falling sharply, the tax burden falling through the 2% National Insurance cut that starts this January and the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps starting to drop, I hope the economic recovery from the pandemic and energy shock caused by the invasion of Ukraine will continue at pace.

That our local businesses will continue to prosper, unemployment remain at historic lows with a job for everyone that can work and wants one.

As we start 2024, that is where my priorities will lie, ensuring our economy continues to grow and prosperity for all be achieved.  

As ever, I remain available for all constituents who want my help or simply wish to share their view or opinion with me on national or local matters and welcome letters to the House of Commons or emails to greg.smith.mp@parliament.uk. I will always do what I can to help.

Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North

Happy New Year to Bucks Free Press readers! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with your loved ones and are now looking forward to what 2024 will bring.

We know we will have a general election at some point in the next 12 months and it really has been a huge honour to be the Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North over the last four years. I am so proud of what we have achieved for Milton Keynes.

More police officers for Thames Valley Police than ever before. Huge investment into MK Hospital in the form of a new 22-bed ward, £10 million funding for the Maple Centre, a new breast cancer screening unit, expanding opt-out HIV testing to MK and lots more

Significant funding to end homelessness in the city. A £25 million boost to improve local roads. Funding to improve the link between education and businesses to ensure we’re teaching young people the skills that employers need.

And I will be continuing to fight for our city and rural areas throughout 2024 to make sure Milton Keynes continues to be the best place to live, work and bring up a family.

It was amazing to meet so many of you out on the doorsteps or at local businesses in 2023, and I can’t wait to meet even more of you in 2024.

Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South

I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and send you and your loved ones my best wishes for 2024. I am looking forward to returning to Parliament to championing local issues in Parliament throughout the new calendar year.

Looking back on 2023, I am particularly proud of the significant investment I have secured for our local NHS healthcare.

Some of the notable investments includes £3m A&E Upgrades for Winter 2023, two Community Diagnostics Centres for Milton Keynes, a Mobile Breast Screening Unit and the green light for the Women’s and Children's Hospital.

I want to reassure local residents that securing more funding for Milton Keynes’ healthcare is one of my top priorities for the new year.