We all know how difficult it still is to get our children into the schools of our choice, that it can still take too long to see a consultant or to be admitted for treatment, that crime and the fear of crime still blight our communities, even communities in which people look out for each other such as Wimbledon Park. London Underground is too often brought to its knees and with it the routine of many people's working lives.


Nevertheless, I do believe that this has been a year in which it is possible to feel the  positive impact in our daily lives from the changes the government has been making. This should be particularly true  in the way we experience public services.  The new accident and emergency unit at St Helier or the walk-in health centre at St George's are practical examples of positive changes in the health service. The fact that Merton now has some of the lowest crime statistics in London is also a measurable indicator of success.  No-one could deny, however, that there is still a lot to do.


I believe most of us do want to see sustained improvements in the quality of our schools, the efficiency of our health service, the reliability of our transport system and the fight against crime although we may have our differences about how best and how quickly this can be brought about. In my view, and in the view of the Government it can only be achieved by continued economic stability acting as a platform for substantial and sustained increased investment in public services in the years to come. 


For as long as I have the opportunity to serve as your MP, I look forward to working with you, with our local community and with the Government to secure real and perceptible improvements to our quality of life and the quality of our public services.  To help achieve that is why I came into politics in the first place. There is still a great deal left to do.


With every good wish for Christmas and the New Year.


ROGER CASALE, MP (WIMBLEDON)