AS 2014 draws to a close, Bolton's three MPs have written New Year's messages to readers of The Bolton News.

DAVID CRAUSBY, MP FOR BOLTON NORTH EAST

2014 has certainly had its ups and downs but visiting the brand new STEM Centre at Bolton College and meeting apprentices and engineering students gave me hope that we can build a better future for the next generation.

Presenting Winston Stanley with his medal for service on the Arctic Convoys in the Second World War was a genuine honour for me, after years of fighting for these veterans to be recognised.

It was most appropriate that we marked the anniversary of the First World War, a vital reminder to us all of the horrors than can occur when diplomacy fails.

The sight of the poppies around the Tower of London was a touch of artistic genius.

My campaign to improve Bolton’s trains will continue and working with The Bolton News to present a petition to Number 10 Downing Street was a success in demonstrating that there is a real North-South transport divide.

It has been an unstable year with a series of international military conflicts and overseas events. The rising threat of ISIS and the tragedy of Ebola has tested our resolve.

Times are tough at home too. Greater numbers of people relying on the kindness of food banks and the cost of living crisis is making life harder for many.

2015 will be a difficult year and we should remember those amongst us who are vulnerable and less fortunate. For my part I eagerly look forward to representing the people of Bolton in the best way I can. So can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

YASMIN QURESHI, MP FOR BOLTON SOUTH EAST

Firstly I’d like to wish all of the residents of Bolton a Happy New Year and I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

2014 was a challenging year both domestically and internationally for everyone. A number of people have seen a decrease in their living standards in our country but I believe that we can go into 2015 with a renewed sense of optimism and hope.

Despite many people experiencing difficulties, I have seen all of Bolton’s communities and individuals coming together to help and support each other. Whether it is as volunteers for charities, or carers looking after the elderly and most vulnerable, we have amazing people in Bolton who really show what makes our town great. I want to urge people to continue to keep an eye on their neighbours who may need a little extra help.

I hope that, in 2015, that same spirit will continue. As human beings, we have lots in common, and we must not allow the prejudices of a few divide and break our communities.

I will continue to work with all different groups, charities, schools and individuals as I have been doing for the last four and a half years, and continue to represent everyone in Bolton South East to the best of my ability.

Bolton is a great place to live. Let’s all work together to make it even better.

JULIE HILLING, MP FOR BOLTON WEST

New Year is a time to reflect and make pledges to help our friends, our family and improve our lives. As the MP for Bolton West my focus is always on improving the lives of residents in my constituency and I work hard with my staff and my Labour colleagues to do all we can to help people in these difficult times.

In 2015 everyone is going to have to make a choice over who they want to run our country. We have a choice between a Tory-led Government that has presided over the slowest recovery since the second World War and a promise to reduce public spending to levels last seen in the 1930s before the National Health Service was founded and a Labour Party which is pledging to build a strong economic foundation by setting sensible and credible goals to reduce our national deficit without putting public services at risk.

It is a disgrace that in the sixth richest country in the world we have working people relying on food banks, elderly people who cannot get the care they need and hard working families facing a cost of living crisis. I know that we can only have good public services if we have a strong economy where all businesses pay their taxes and people are paid a decent wage. We must get rid of the blight of zero hour contracts and help all businesses to implement a living wage.

George Osborne and David Cameron have proved that they do not have the answers for the people of Bolton West with their broken promises, tax cuts for the rich and devastating cuts for the rest of us. Ed Miliband and I will deal with the deficit by tackling the cost of living crisis and making sure that those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden

I promise I will continue to work hard for the residents here in Bolton West, taking up local issues and continuing to work on campaigns like tackling dangerous dogs, making every school leaver a life saver, decent rail and bus services, defending services for young people and proper care for older people.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful 2015.