THE borough’s political leaders have sent the readers of the Bury Times festive greetings for the New Year.

Bury's political landscape has changed dramatically in 2019.

The borough has two new MPs, both Conservative, who were voted in last month at the General Election.

Cllr David Jones was appointed as the new leader of Bury Council in July, taking over from Cllr Rishi Shori who stood down after three years in charge.

Here's what the three politicians had to say.

Council leader, Cllr David Jones

I HOPE you all had a wonderful Christmas, spent in the company of those you love.

A special thanks to those people who do not get a holiday over the festive period – from social care workers to NHS staff and the emergency services – because they are working hard to keep us all safe and well. It is much appreciated.

The council faced a lot of challenges in 2019 and there will be more to come in 2020, both financially and in the increasing demand for services to the most vulnerable in our community.

But this does not stop us bringing forward ambitious plans to improve our borough and the daily lives of our residents. We’ll shortly have details of proposals to continue the regeneration of Radcliffe and Prestwich, and we’ll be working every more closely with our colleagues in the NHS to provide joined-up services to those in need of health and social care.

We’ll need your help in all this, which is why we’ll be doing much more engagement work in the community. Only by us all working together will we ensure that Bury remains a fantastic place in which to live, work and study.

We go into 2020 as a borough looking forward to our Town of Culture status and I hope the new year brings all that you wish for.

Bury North MP, Cllr James Daly

AS we head into the new year, all politicians within our town must be bold, ambitious and optimistic about what we can achieve for the residents of Bury.

For too long Bury Council has had no strategic vision as to how public money can be spent to support regeneration, job creation and the building of truly affordable housing on brownfield sites within the borough and this must change quickly. The scandalous situation involving Bury FC and Gigg Lane is a case in point. In my view our local council should be the lead partner in a regeneration proposal that not only allows football to continue to be played at the site but supports local business, creates employment opportunities, supports our town as a cultural destination and provides an important venue for the delivery of statutory services. The welcome news that Bury has been chosen as GM's inaugural Town of Culture should act as a catalyst to this ambition and I am confident if we all work together this vision can be achieved. I wish to pay tribute to all those fans groups who are working so hard to ensure Bury has a football club for next season and as your Member of Parliament I will do all I can to support your efforts.

The government will be investing record sums of money in our schools, NHS and social care services over the upcoming years and the challenge will be to ensure that this investment is used in the best possible way to support the delivery of front line services and impact positively on the lives of the most vulnerable in our community. We all have a part to play but we must have the correct strategic vision locally to ensure Bury residents who are supported by statutory services have the best chance to thrive and succeed or receive the care and support they need. I will continue to serve as chair of governors at Hoyle Nursery School and over the next 12 months hope many others will choose to play an active role in their local communities.

My first vote in the House of Commons was to support the second reading of the European Withdrawal Bill. After years of paralysis our country can move forward and as politicians we can concentrate on the issues that effect you and your family every day. Bury is a fantastic place and there is no limit as to what we can achieve.

Lastly, can I thank everyone who voted for me at the recent General Election and pay tribute to the work of my predecessor.

Have a very Happy New Year.

Bury South MP, Christian Wakeford

The festive period for me is spent with family reflecting on the previous year and setting out your objectives for the year ahead whether through the obligatory New Years Resolution or not.

This Year’s close sees us celebrating both Christmas and Chanukah with both communities coming together to remember the original meaning of the respective festivals. Experiencing my first Chanukah, it has been more poignant to read that the original translation of Chanukah is “dedication”, with my own dedication being to the communities and residents who recently put their trust in me at the election.

It’s important to take the time to appreciate what this year has provided us and what the new one is about to bring.

But at this time of year it is important that we remember those less fortunate than us both at home and overseas.

2019 has been a year of uncertainty with Brexit dominating the news, seeing trust in Politicians reach an all time low.

I hope that in 2020 following the recent elections that the country will be able to come together and see a resolution to the Brexit mess allowing us to move forward and start focusing on the issues that matter to us all, healing the divisions of the last few years.

For my part I eagerly look forward to representing the people of Radcliffe, Prestwich, Whitefield, Unsworth, Ainsworth and Simister in 2020 in the best way I can. I look forward to working with all residents to deliver on the pledges that I campaigned on.

I want wish you all a happy Chanukah a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.