BOLTON West MP Chris Green has delivered his New Year message to readers of The Bolton News.

Looking back on the year that was, Mr Green has unsurprisingly chosen to focus on the vote by the British people to leave the European Union as the key political highlight of the year.

The Conservative MP was an ardent supporter of the Brexit campaign and was delighted when 52 per cent of the country voted in agreement with him.

He says the Brexit process will be his main priority in the year ahead.

“As we look back on 2016, you can’t help but notice that we seem to have packed a half-century worth of political stories into the last twelve months!

Without a doubt, Brexit was the biggest story of the year and Bolton played a big role in this. I’ve made no secret that I supported Brexit and actively campaigned for it.

“At street stalls and on the door step in Bolton West, despite what the pollsters said, it was clear to me what direction we were travelling in.

“People had had enough of being told what to do by a wasteful and distant bureaucratic organisation in Brussels and they wanted to take back control – and in 2016, that’s exactly what the British people have done.

“My first priority of the new year is to make sure we uphold the will of my constituents, and that of the British people, and begin the process of leaving the EU.

“ In my conversations with Ministers, I am assured that they and the very best of our civil service are working hard behind the scenes to make sure we get the best possible deal. Under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Theresa May, the next year will see our country make a fresh start and I’m very optimistic about our future, maintaining a strong relationship with our European neighbours as well as forging a new outwardly looking vision for our country.

He added: “I hope all Bolton News readers had a very merry Christmas, and I wish you all a wonderful year ahead.”