Political column: Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood

I would like to start by saying happy new year to everyone across Morley and Outwood, and the wider Wakefield area.
Vaccines for Covid-19 are a 'triumph of science'Vaccines for Covid-19 are a 'triumph of science'
Vaccines for Covid-19 are a 'triumph of science'

2020 was a difficult year and the first half of 2021 is clearly going to start out by being equally tough, as the new national lockdown begins.

But the light at the end of all this is here and Britain is rolling out our two medically approved vaccines as quickly as possible.

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Already, over one million coronavirus vaccine doses have been done in the UK, a huge effort from our amazing NHS teams.

At the very end of last year, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved by UK regulators.

This is a huge boost to our fight against the pandemic, and I trust it will help see us through to a final victory over Covid-19.

The UK has ordered 100 million doses of this vaccine – which is enough to vaccinate 50 million people, and from January 4 the roll out began of this second vaccine.

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There is hope that all of the most vulnerable people will be vaccinated by March, so allowing for restrictions to reduce.

This vaccine is a triumph of British science.

It has a number of very real benefits over the other types of vaccine that will help to speed up the roll out of protection.

It can be stored much more simply than other types, and at higher temperatures, so more of our local health centres are able to be used to help distribute the vaccine quickly.

I welcome the fact that hundreds more vaccination sites are opening up this week across our country to maximise our efficiency and reach.

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Given that 66 per cent of the Wakefield area, and 60 per cent of my constituency of Morley and Outwood, voted for Brexit, I wanted also to mention the fantastic news that the UK has left the transition period with a good deal for our country.

We have successfully taken back control of our borders, laws, and money.

The UK has signed over 60 trade deals, including an extensive free trade deal with the EU, which combine together to over £867 billion worth of trade.

As a passionate Brexiteer, I welcome this new global Britain which we all knew was possible, and look forward to yet further advancement in 2021.

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It was a great honour to vote for this positive trade deal just after Christmas, and help to deliver a Brexit worthy of the name.

This has been a long time coming for voters in our area, and following the 2019 general election I am proud to say that we were able to ‘get Brexit done.’

I am looking forward to charting a new independent course for our great nation as we rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, make use of our new independence for the benefit of all our people, and reach out to the world.

I am optimistic for the end of this dreadful pandemic, which I believe these vaccines will bring.

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However, I know that in these dark months, times will be tough. I am on hand to help in any way I can.

Please email if you need help in any form to the following address: [email protected] and I will do my upmost to assist you.