Sarah Teather's New Year Message for London!

5.40.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Jan 2005

Charles Kennedy and Sarah Teather MP wish all Londoners a Happy New Year!

All our thoughts at this time lie with those affected by the terrible tragedy in Asia. It has united us in a sense of common humanity and reminded us how fragile the systems are on which we rely for our daily lives. My immediate hopes for the new year are that aid gets through quickly and that Governments across the world can work together with aid agencies to begin the reconstruction work.

This work must be longterm, however. We must not forget, after the immediate catastrophe seems to have passed. I hope also that we learn from this tragedy. If we do not tackle climate change at a global level, we may see disasters on a similar scale, albeit by a different cause.

Remaining on that International theme, it is vital that the elections in Iraq succeed in January as democratically as possible. Whilst the Liberal Democrats were adamantly opposed to the war in Iraq, the priority now is to put government back into the hands of the Iraqis as soon as possible.

Nationally, I hope that the Government will accept the ruling of the Law Lords that imprisonment without trial in Belmarsh is illegal and unacceptable and repeal this injustice. I hope too that Parliament will oppose Labour plans for ID cards and spend that money on more police for our streets instead, to really tackle crime.

Closer to home, my priorities will be to continue fighting for a solution to the homes crisis in London -- many thousands of Londoners live in the misery of overcrowded accommodation. It cannot be solved overnight, but I hope this year, the Government and the Mayor will take steps to address the problem. I also hope that London comes together to get behind our Olympic bid. Above all, I wish all in London a happy and prosperous New Year!

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