This is my last first column of 2022, and it is fair to say that in terms of both domestic and international events it has been an extremely busy and turbulent year.
Indeed, having used my previous column to congratulate Liz Truss on her election as Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister, I now want to take the opportunity to belatedly do likewise for Rishi Sunak.
From his appointment as a junior minister at the then Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to his time as Chancellor, Rishi has always been a strong and consistent supporter of local government, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on a range of issues.
I would also like to offer belated congratulations to Michael Gove on his return as our Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
“Both domestically and internationally, it has been an extremely busy and turbulent year”
Having worked well with Michael over the past year, Conservative Group colleagues and I have been delighted to again have positive engagement with him and his ministerial team, including new appointments Lucy Frazer and Felicity Buchan.
I would also like to thank Simon Clarke for his engagement with us during his time as Secretary of State and to wish him and Paul Scully, who has moved to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, all the very best for the future.
After a difficult 12 months, my festive hope is for a period of political stability in 2023, and I would like to wish first readers a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.