Our Man in Westminster – My Reflections Before Christmas

This Christmas, I will be reflecting on my own values as a Christian, which the story of the nativity teaches us such as; community, unity, and kindness. This time of year, allows us to be grateful for what we have, while also thinking about those who are in less fortunate positions than ourselves, and those who are working extra hard to ensure that we as a community can enjoy a restful and peaceful Christmas period.

With this in mind, I will be thinking about NHS workers – nurses, doctors, paramedics, mental health specialists, matrons, cleaners – and so many other frontline workers – many of whom will be working extraordinarily hard on the week leading up to Christmas due to what is expected to be a very difficult flu season. This is why we must all be doing what we can to ensure that we can help relieve pressure on the NHS by ensuring we are using the correct services over the winter – if you are unsure check the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Service’s ‘Stop, Think, Choose’ page on their website.

At a time when society can feel more divided than ever, Christmas offers an opportunity to come together and recognise those who quietly do so much good for our communities. I’ll also be thinking about the charities and community initiatives which do so much good for everyone living across Ashford, Hawkinge, and the Villages. This year, I joined the Ashford Community Sleigh – a fantastic community event, organised by brilliant volunteers – which raises money for local charities, such as Pilgrims Hospice, and various youth organisations. I have also been invited to some wonderful carol services by constituents – where churches have opened their doors to the community and brought people together.

I recently visited postal workers at the local depot in Ashford; the work they do, particularly at this busy time of year, ensures that letters, parcels, and presents reach loved ones ahead of Christmas. Their dedication highlights how people within our communities work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly for us.

Over the weekend before Christmas, I made the journey over to Estonia as part of a Parliamentary delegation to thank our troops stationed for keeping us safe. It was such a privilege to meet so many brave service personnel and hear their first-hand experiences. Their commitment to service, whilst stationed so far away from home, was inspiring.

I’d also like to congratulate the winners of my primary school Christmas card competition from East Stour, Kennington, Lyminge, and Bodsham and to the businesses who supported it! It was great to have so many fantastic entries!

As 2025 draws to a close, I am also looking forward to seeing what next year has in store for us all as we move forward into 2026 together. A new year always presents an opportunity for greater unity and community cohesion – values which so many of us share across Ashford, Hawkinge, and the Villages – and I hope we can build on this in 2026.