Greg Barker's Christmas message

It has been an incredibly difficult year, my wife and I separated quietly in July and then had to deal with a barrage of media intrusion in October. But we have come through!

However in many ways, despite all the sadness that has brought, we are extremely lucky.

Thanks to Celeste, the pain of separation and change has not meant family breakdown. We still remain one very close family unit and we will all be together at home over the holidays, to enjoy a traditional family Christmas.

But others aren't so fortunate and the experience of the past few months has made me even more aware of how difficult life must be for those who don't have the benefit of a strong and loving family.

You can't just legislate to fix relationships, if only life were that simple.

However there are still many things that government can and should do to support family life. But in modern Britain, families and relationships come in many shapes and forms and policy makers need to recognise that, too.

In the constituency, for me 2006 was dominated by transport issues, fighting to save the London train service for Bexhill, beginning the campaign to stop cuts on the Charing Cross to Hastings line and the never ending battle to improve the A21. But 2007 will undoubtedly be the year of threats to our local Health Service. We will have a huge job on our hands to preserve the services that we all depend on at both the Conquest and the DGH in Eastbourne.

But the local community has already shown its massive support for our local hospitals and the campaign to save Bexhill's train service really showed that when we all work together as a community, we can make a real difference. The Strategic Health Authority may think the "consultation" they are now planning for the spring will be a formality. But I would just warn them, don't under estimate Bexhill and Battle!

So as we head into Christmas, may I express my sincere gratitude for all the kindness and understanding that has been so freely given by so many people across our community to me and my family over recent months and wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.