Happy Christmas
I wish you a happy Christmas. I am having the day off, but send me thoughts if you wish.
Mental health at Christmas
On my way to parliament this morning I heard a report on the radio that the number of calls to Childline had increased last Christmas; now the charity claims that there is a positive way to look at this as it shows that more children are aware of the service and feel like it’s reassuring that children know they have someone to talk to.
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Tories forced into fox hunting U-turn – Sue Hayman
Sue
Hayman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, commenting on a Tory U-turn on
fox hunting, said:
“After
backing fox hunting at the last election and promising a free vote in the Tory
manifesto Theresa May has been forced to U-turn on this cruel policy. Under
pressure from Labour, the Conservatives are finally rethinking their abysmal
record on animal welfare.
“The
government must now move to halt their poorly regulated and unscientific badger
cull across England.
“The
Tories have taken rural areas for granted. While they continue to focus on fox
hunting, rural poverty remains a huge issue and infrastructure and services in
rural areas have been run into the ground.
“It’s time
this Government started taking action to tackle the real issues facing rural
communities.”
Show people love this Christmas – Corbyn
In his Christmas message, Jeremy
Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, calls for people to show each other care
and love. He says Britain is a “compassionate” country with people thinking of
others at this time of year, as well as enjoying themselves.
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour
Party, said:
“At Christmas we spend time at home
with family and friends.
“It’s a time of the year when we think
about others. Like those who have no home to call their own or who are sleeping
rough on our streets.
“We think about those who feel cut off
and lonely. Many older citizens to whom we owe so much will be spending what
should be a time of joy alone.
“We think of others such as carers who
look after loved ones, people with disabilities or dementia.
“And abroad we think of those living in
nations like Yemen, Syria and Libya in fear of bombs and bullets, of injury and
death.
“None of this is inevitable. We pride
ourselves on being a compassionate nation.
“My Christmas wish is that we all do
more to help bring about the kind of society and world we want to live in.
“Whenever you can show people love,
show them you care and enjoy your Christmas.”
Christmas eve
( Here’s one I prepared earlier)
WILL SANTA COME TONIGHT?
“Will Santa come? Will Santa come tonight?”
“He might. He might.
If you are good, he might.”
“Can I stay up and see?”
“No. He will not come for you or me
If we do not sleep .
He’s too busy to meet us all.”
“And will he come for us?
If you go to sleep – he does not like fuss.”
Tonight, by the lights of the tree
There is, at last, some grown up time for me.
The cake is iced
The wine is spiced
The carrots diced.
The pudding’s steamed
The brandy butter creamed.
The turkey prepared awaits
And yes, I did clean the plates.
The tree is up, the table laid,
the cards are out , though the credit card’s unpaid!
So shall I soon with gifts a plenty
Mount the stairs to deliver twenty?
Do I dare to tread the stair?
And will it creak?
And will it creak?
When can I take a peek?
I need to know if they slumber
Before I arrive with my lumber.
If they are still awake
what dreams will go?
What heart might break?
Or do they know?
And is their belief just all for show?
So tonight by the magic tree
There is need of more time just for me
I will wait – and struggle to keep open my eyes
And wrestle with the morality of eating Santa’s mince pies.
My adult mind is full of Christmas chores
The cooking times, and the cards through neighbours’ doors
The parties with do not drink and drive in my ears
So the night does not end in tears
Drinks that might have been – but not that cheap red
Which would give me a headache as soon as I got to bed
I was once a child too excited to sleep
with a torrent of thoughts about what I might be given
Hoping that it was a toy beneath the wrapping – should I peep? –
Not more socks or hankies, preferably something to be driven
So could Santa still come for me?
Drowsily I dream as if I were eight
Hoping that Santa would not be late
Like every little boy
There is of course a much wanted toy
So will Santa come tonight?
He might, He might.
If you sleep well
and if you believe
Only if you believe.
And only if in your family
Love fills the hours you will be spending.
It could be the true Santa on the stair
Or it could be someone from an empty chair.
.
So will Santa come?
He will. He will.