Happy New Year

It is time to wish everyone well for 2012. The last year has really flown past, but the coming twelve months present a greater challenge.

The first four months will see some determined campaigning leading up to the London elections on May 3rd. In an action replay of 2008 it's Boris vs Ken vs Brian Paddick once again, with all three candidates looking older and more experienced.

Then - after a brief pause for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - we can look forward to the Olympics, bringing a great spectacle and hopefully a lot of extra business to the capital. Reaping the maximum benefit whilst minimising the disruption to a city that never sleeps will be a considerable challenge.

After the Paralympics close and everyone heads home, we can begin the clean up and heave a sigh of relief that it all went off so well - which should take us nicely to Christmas!

For some it has already been a Happy New Year, with Merton and Westminster coming joint first in the float contest at the New Year Parade. Westminster's float featured deputy leader Cllr Robert Davis decked out as Captain Hook on a magnificent galleon. Despite the rain many spectators turned out and everyone enjoyed themselves. Not a bad result for Redbridge either - they came fifth, scooping a £3,000 prize.