Politicians' festive greetings to The Bolton News readers

Bolton's political landscape has changed dramatically in 2019.

The Conservatives took control of Bolton Council for the first time in four decades after the local elections in May.

The borough also has a new MP, Mark Logan, who beat Sir David Crausby in Bolton North East at the General Election.

Here's what the three politicians had to say.

Council leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh

It is a huge honour to be writing my first New Year message as leader of the council. I’m Bolton born and bred, and care deeply about the future of our great town.

Politics in Bolton is changing with the first Conservative administration in 40 years. Nationally, under Boris, we finally have an end to uncertainty. Conservatives will honour the decision made by the British people, and we will leave the European Union on the January 31.

More people voted Conservative than for any other party in Bolton at the General Election, and I hope to work closely with government to make sure Bolton takes full advantage of government committed to massive investment in the North.

We have already seen a commitment to the extension of the Metrolink to Bolton, and Bolton on the receiving end of multi-million-poundg rants for our high streets and towns.

2020 will see Bolton begin to rise from the ashes of Labour neglect, as we see new firms relocate to our area, new buildings begin construction, more people in work than ever before, and the first strides along the journey of transforming our town centre.

2020 will see the completion of the £10m extra investment in our roads, the £1.5m cleaner greener investment and £16m master plans developed in Horwich, Little Lever, Westhoughton and Farnworth.

There is always a temptation to be negative, but my team and I believe 2020 is a year of hope both nationally and locally.

Our borough faces many challenges, and they aren’t going to be solved overnight, but we are committed to creating a Bolton we can all be proud of, and where all residents from all communities and backgrounds feel engaged, empowered and included.

May I wish you and those close to you A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Bolton North East MP Mark Logan

Has there ever been a more exciting time to be a Boltonian?

You, the people of Bolton, voted overwhelmingly for change.

And change is what we owe you for this new year, this new decade, our new Bolton.

As we gathered closer for Christmas celebrations I and my government have been thinking about how we can enrich your lives.

Increased connectivity between Manchester and Bolton, so that you get to work on time, and return in the same fashion to see your loved ones.

Increasing links will also mean we can showcase the best of Bolton to people across the region.

This is the decade when the clock starts ticking to realise our shared vision of Bolton 2030.

Of course monumental change will not happen overnight, but as you wake up on New Year's Day you can mark my words that I, along with council colleagues, and our people's government in Westminster is finally working for you.

On the eve of this new decade I've listened to your hundreds of messages in my first week representing Bolton North East. Not only have I never received so many Christmas card. But I've also absorbed so many words expressing your ambitions for Bolton, your love for our great town, and ideas on what needs to change in this fresh decade.

I wish you and your loved ones an exceptionally bright year and decade ahead.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi

I want to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

The railways continue to be a huge issue for commuters in Bolton, with short-formed trains packed so tightly that passengers are often left on the platform, and yet fares are due to rise again on January 2. I will continue to fight for safe, reliable and punctual trains.

I have been calling for a halt to fracking since January 2015, when I proposed a moratorium as part of the Infrastructure Bill. In November, the government announced a suspension of fracking.

Whilst this is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough and could easily be reversed. I will continue to push for an outright ban in order to protect our precious environment.

The devastating fire at The Cube student accommodation brought further concern that the government has not taken fire safety seriously when it comes to blocks of flats.

I pay tribute to our amazing emergency services that there were no fatalities or serious injuries. It was heart-warming to see how the Bolton community rallied around the victims of the fire, donating money, clothing, food and other essentials.

I am very proud of how our townsfolk responded to this emergency.

Bolton West MP Chris Green

In last year’s Christmas message, I speculated as to whether 2019 would be a calmer year in politics. With yet more votes on Brexit, historic local election results in Bolton and the most important General Election since the Second World War, it’s safe to say this year has been another unprecedented year in politics.

There are however lots of positives to be taken into the new year. The General Election delivered a clear Conservative majority, which will allow us to get Brexit done and move past the logjam of the last Parliament. This result will also help unite the country, with a strong government making decisive decisions and respecting our democracy.

Locally, there’s also a great story to tell, with the Conservatives taking control of Bolton Council after 40 years of Labour rule. In the New Year, I look forward to seeing Bolton’s Conservatives deliver their borough wide road resurfacing programme, their exciting regeneration plans for Bolton Town Centre and of course we can’t forget the return of the Bolton Marathon.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me in the General Election and to wish everybody in Bolton West a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.