Brexit has made 2016 the most eventful year in politics I can remember - but 2017 could be even livelier! The government wants to begin the process of leaving the European Union in March, although there’s a chance this may not happen as a result of current and pending court action.
A failure to trigger Article 50 in the next few months could lead to an emergency general election being held next year and fought mainly on the issue of Brexit. I hope this won’t be necessary. The referendum result delivered a clear majority for us to leave the EU and the government needs to be free to get on with the process of doing just that.
Besides Brexit, there will be much else to deal with in 2017. A final agreement on the future of the Severn crossings and toll charges can be expected late in the year, before a handover of both bridges to the UK Government on 1 April 2018. I am pleased with the current commitment to halve the tolls once the bridges revert to public ownership. It is certainly a welcome step forward but I believe there is room for further reductions.
Meanwhile, small businesses in Monmouthshire face a huge hike in business rates from April. I will continue to work alongside Nick Ramsay AM and C Cllr Bob Greenland to try and get the Welsh Government to postpone these unfair rises or compensate those affected.
I’m sure I speak for many in wanting to send best wishes to members of the armed forces who are serving abroad during the festive season. Especially in my thoughts is Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman. He was sentenced to life imprisonment after shooting a badly wounded Taliban fighter following a traumatic tour of duty in Afghanistan. Whatever the rights and wrongs of this so-called ‘mercy killing’, I cannot believe it’s right that Sgt Blackman should have received such a lengthy sentence. I have met his wife in Parliament and will continue to raise his case in the hope he will soon be able to spend a Christmas back home with his family.