Conor’s Christmas and Chanukah message to Bournemouth West, Alderney & Branksome East

I had the great privilege of visiting Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday evening this week to attend a reception to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Chanukah.  At the reception, which was hosted by the Chancellor George Osbourne and the Education Secretary Michael Gove, we had the great honour of listening to a thought provoking speech by the Chief Rabbi.

The Jewish people have suffered terrible persecution throughout the centuries and often over that time Britain has offered them refuge.  Indeed our own area has a large Jewish community.  In reflecting on the words of the Chief Rabbi and looking at all that is going on in the world today I hope that 2012 will see moves towards reconciliation and increased tolerance.

When I think of the treatment of people of Jewish faith I cannot help now also thinking of the plight of so many Christian communities in parts of the world where they are killed and suppressed for the simple expression of their faith.  I was humbled this year to meet Pope Benedict in Rome and have the chance to talk to him about this very important issue.

In these difficult times I believe more than ever that it is important to stress our shared humanity and basic values and reject those who seek to divide on the basis of faith, colour, gender or any other factor that puts divisions between us.

I would like to end this year by wishing all the residents of the area that I have the honour to serve in Parliament a happy Chanukah or a happy Christmas.  And to those of no faith I wish a happy and restful break and a very fulfilled new year.

Conor Burns MP
Member of Parliament for Bournemouth West, Alderney and Branksome East

Main picture by Jack Norton, age 5 – a pupil at Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Kinson.  This was the winning entry in Conor Burns MP’s Christmas Card Competition 2011 and was used for all the MP’s Christmas Cards this year.