Christmas Message from South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice

Christmas Message from South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice MANY of you will know the story from World War One of the Christmas truce in 1914 when for a brief time the gunshots ceased and the sound of Silent Night and O Come all ye Faithful was he

Christmas Message from South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice

MANY of you will know the story from World War One of the Christmas truce in 1914 when for a brief time the gunshots ceased and the sound of Silent Night and O Come all ye Faithful was heard rising from the German and English trenches; and instead of trying to kill each other the troops exchanged gifts and played football. At its heart the message of Christmas is a message of 'peace on earth' and the Christmas truce in 1914 shows that even amidst the horrors of war moments of peace can be found.

I know that for many of you 2009 will have been a difficult and challenging year. Many people have lost their jobs or had to take substantial pay cuts to retain them; people have lost their businesses and sometimes their homes; and we mustn't forget our troops out in Afghanistan and their family and friends back home without them. For Parliament too this has been a hard and unhappy year - the expenses scandal has rocked the establishment to its very core and only a General Election (inevitable at some time in 2010) will ultimately be able to secure the reforms which have been shown to be so needed.

I sincerely hope that this Christmas time, whatever you have faced in 2009 and whatever awaits you in 2010, you are able to pause from the daily challenges of life and take time to rest and recharge for the year ahead. I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Jim Paice MP