New Year is the perfect opportunity to take stock of where you are and what you want to achieve in the coming year. Many will use the time to make a New Year’s resolution, whether something small, like giving up chocolate, or a bigger dream, like saving up for a new house or a major trip, New Year can be a great motivator to achieve a new goal.

Many people will take the opportunity to attempt to make their lives healthier. Reducing alcohol or stopping smoking are common goals, as is more time at the gym or getting other exercise. To all I say good luck. Even if you don’t succeed, better to try and fail than not to try at all.

For me, 2015 promises to be exceptionally busy. I shall be standing again for the Hemel Hempstead Constituency at the General Election on 7th May, just 125 days away. So I continue to work hard to convey to constituents that Conservatives have the right long term plan to secure Britain’s future.

I would remind all voters that the system of voter registration has now changed. Where before one person could register all residents at one household to vote, each individual must now register themselves. Much of this is done automatically. Some 30 million voters have been automatically registered via their Department of Work and Pensions records. But some people may have to provide additional information.

If you are not sure whether you are registered, you can contact the Electoral Services office at Dacorum Borough Council on 01442 228000 or email elect-reg@dacorum.gov.uk to ensure you are on the electoral role. You can also register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Democracy is fundamental part of our society, but it is a right too many in the world are denied. I hope local residents, whatever their political persuasion, will use their right to vote. It is a privilege we should not take for granted.

I will continue to hold advice surgeries and correspond with constituents, so if you require my assistance please don’t hesitate to get in contact. Please visit my website for details of how to get in touch. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter or find me on Facebook (Penning4Hemel) to keep up to date with my work for the Hemel Hempstead Constituency.

I wish local residents all the best for 2015.

| This article was first published in the Hemel Hempstead Gazette