Year will see so many new changes for the nation

This column appears in the Cardiff Post today.

The year 2007 looks set to bring with it lots of changes.

From April 1, smoking will be banned in all public places in Wales. If you're a regular reader of this column, you know that I campaigned long and hard for this change. I think that it is the single most important public health measure that we can take and I'm very much looking forward to its imminent implementation, first in Wales in the Spring and then in England in the Summer.

Also from April, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government, prescription charges will be abolished for everyone in Wales. I think England is likely to follow suit, as it did with free off-peak bus travel for the disabled and those over 60. Once again, I'm proud to say that Wales has led the way.

We will also see a lot of changes in terms of the political landscape this year. There will be a change in the Labour leadership, of course — we will have a new Prime Minister. We will also have a new Deputy Leader and a new Deputy Prime Minister. Of the new candidates for Deputy Leader, I am supporting Harriet Harman MP. She has an excellent campaigning record, particularly on equality issues — she has been a strong advocate, for example, for low-paid women. With several candidates seemingly in the running, it should be an interesting contest.

There should also be interesting contests in the National Assembly elections which will be held at the start of May. In my constituency of Cardiff North, we will see a change of AM, as Sue Essex is retiring after many years of serving the community. I will be campaigning for the excellent Labour Councillor Sophie Howe to replace her, and am looking forward to all the canvassing and leafleting — though I must say that it hardly seems any time since the last election!

In Cardiff, I hope we'll see changes regarding several issues, such as the fate of Llanishen Reservoir. I hope that we will be successful in making sure that people can continue to enjoy the water and the surrounding area.

I hope also that we will see changes regarding anti-social behaviour in our community and that the police will use all the powers that have been given to them to help curtial the actions of the few who can make life miserable for many people.

So — the year ahead will bring with it many changes and challenges. And as we ring in the New Year, anything seems possible. It is with great optimism then, that I wish a happy 2007 to you all.