Salisbury's MP reflects on 'challenging year' with future positivity
John Glen has released a Christmas message to the community
The MP for Salisbury has written a blog and recorded a video to share his thoughts on 2020 and a look ahead to next year.
In his blog he's said the news that the 'Christmas bubbles' have had to be scaled back to just one day is 'frustrating' and 'incredibly disappointing'.
He says he 'fully appreciates how upsetting it is' but 'the situation is dynamic and rapid spread of a variant of (Covid-19) has changed everything'.
Salisbury's Parliamentary representative says it's been tough for the Government to make the changes:
"For the avoidance of doubt, this is not what anyone wanted, but I am clear that, by sacrificing our chance to see loved ones this Christmas, we will save the lives and livelihoods of many thousands of people in the months ahead."
John Glen says he is hopeful that things will change as we move forward into 2020 though:
"Looking beyond the next few days, there are huge grounds for optimism. Thanks to the brilliance of scientists and clinicians around the world, we are heading into 2021 with real hope that we will soon beat this virus.
"We are already the first country in the western world to begin using a clinically approved vaccine. Hundreds of thousands of people have had their first dose, and if you are identified as a priority and contacted by the NHS over the festive season, I would encourage you to join them."
His video pays tribute to key workers and calls on the community of Salisbury shop local, support each other and the local economy.