Happy New Year! There’s a lot to look back on fondly in 2022:
- The wonderful Jubilee street parties that brought communities together after so long kept apart by Covid.
- The Lionesses brought football home at Wembley, and the men’s team put on a brilliant run at the World Cup too.
- And another fantastic by-election victory for the Liberal Democrats!
But it has been a very difficult year too:
- Vladimir Putin’s appalling war that has claimed the lives of thousands of brave Ukrainians.
- Political chaos in the Conservative party, inflicting economic chaos on the rest of us.
- And, of course, the very sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The end of a truly magnificent reign.
The New Year is an opportunity to turn the page and look ahead. And although things are tough for millions, I sense change is possible – so I look to the New Year with hope and optimism.
In 2023, we can look forward to a truly historic and joyful occasion for our family of nations: the coronation of our new King. Another chance for people to come together and celebrate in our communities and – hopefully – under clear skies.
So for 2023, I wish you and your family all the best. Let’s hope it’s a year of fresh starts – in more ways than one.
* Ed Davey is the MP for Kingston & Surbiton and Leader of the Liberal Democrats
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11 Comments
Do we think he mentioned the Windsor royal family enough?
“political chaos in the Conservative party, inflicting economic chaos on the rest of us.”
– This was very much as a result of Brexit and certainly exacerbated by Brexit. 2022 is the year in which the damage from from a dogmatic Brexit became self-evident.
Why didn’t Ed reference this? The Guardian was kind enough to include Ed Davey’s New Year message along with that of Starmer in a piece that put Sunak’s message in its headline, but only as an echo of Starmer’s message. This was another opportunity to gain attention by having something different to say.
For 2023, can we look forward to an upturn in our polling? – Ed Davey, this is a question for you to address.
“Vladimir Putin’s appalling war that has claimed the lives of thousands of brave Ukrainians.”
Plus of course the lives of many brave Russians. And yes, I know they shouldn’t be in the Ukraine, but that’s not really their fault is it?
“Do we think he mentioned the Windsor royal family enough?”
He seems to be trying to outdo the Labour leadership in this.
Not a word about the most damaging feature of the year – Brexit and what the Liberal Democrats will do about it. Leaves me thinking the answer is NOTHING!!!
Happy new year, everyone! I know New Year messages are usually pretty bland, but could Ed really not think of anything to look forward to in 2023 other than the coronation, or *anything* to hope for, other than that there should be nice weather for the coronation?
Happy New Year Lib Dems, and to follow most of the posts above, here’s something to read:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/01/wreckage-of-brexit-politicians-denial
Harris has a lot of good advice for “our politicians” in the Tory and Labour parties, but doesn’t even bother to mention the Lib Dems. That seems fair enough, because the Lib Dems are doing nothing and going nowhere.
David Allen:
Thanks for the link. There is an obvious opportunity to merit and gain attention by regularly asserting the economic, social and geopolitical damage from Brexit.
It involves little more than stating facts, often including reference to the government’s own data. I cannot see what possible advantage there is for our Party to connive with the systematic denial of reality exhibited by the Tories and Labour.
My best wishes for 2023 are that Liberal Democrats be the party that is unafraid to recount the detrimental realities of Brexit.
I agree with Martin. In Scotland the SNP never misses an opportunity to outline the damage Brexit has inflicted, and still inflicts, on both our country and society. The Liberal Democrats should be making reversal of Brexit a key political priority and key campaign message.
I suppose anything is possible. I see mostly more of the same. The General Election that could bring change seems years away. The war in Ukraine grinds on. Ordinary people performing acts of great kindness and effort for little personal gain. Our institutions seem in decay. And our processes seem to work to prevent progress. We need a more engaged civil society with the methods to influence events.
Well it is really, there is such a thing as pacifism.