The constituency office is closing for the Christmas holiday from 3pm today until 9am on January 3. Messages will be checked over the week so if you have an emergency do leave your name and number and a message and the staff will be in touch with you.

2005 seems to have flown by. It's certainly been an interesting year — not least for the fact that in May, I could no longer have held the privileged position I still have — and I'm hoping that 2006 will prove to be just as challenging. Of course, we'll be gearing up all year for the Welsh Assembly elections which are coming in 2007. Labour's candidate, Sophie Howe, will be doing her best to run a positive campaign based around putting children and the family at the forefront of all our considerations. I look forward to playing my part!

All that is in the future, though. For now all that needs to be said is that my staff and I wish all constituents a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and the very best for 2006!