MAYOR DAN JARVIS' CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Published 23 December 2021 at 9:00am

It is easy to forget how we started 2021, in truth many wish they could. The country was in the midst of severe lockdown. More than 1,000 people were dying each day from Covid. Not for the first time, our key workers were asked to step forward and drag us from the nadir. NHS staff risked their lives to save others. Care workers protected the elderly and vulnerable. 

As we emerged from our homes and the isolation of those dreadful months, we were met with a series of global events. They served to remind us of our connection to the wider world, the challenge ahead of us and the scale of ambition needed to succeed.  

Our collective spirits were lifted when a group of inspirational young men with a humble leader, treated us to some of the best football our nation has seen in living memory and steered England to within a penalty shootout of glory. Both on and off the pitch, they did us proud and gave us something to cheer when we needed it most.

The summer saw our long-standing military and political commitment in Afghanistan brought to a dramatic close. After two decades of conflict in which tens of thousands lost their lives, the Taliban reclaimed power at breathtaking speed. I am acutely aware how distressing those scenes were for families who lost loves ones and for veterans who served in the campaign. 

It is difficult to draw any positives, especially when Afghanistan is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. But while the withdrawal highlighted the very worst of political leadership, Operation Pitting shone a light on the absolute best of our young servicemen and women.

World leaders came together in Glasgow to save the planet. Beyond the spin, what was delivered was a far cry from what was needed – vague commitments in lieu of tangible progress. The missed opportunity at COP26 means securing a viable future for generations hangs in the balance. A familiar tale of the least culpable paying the heaviest price but the difference is our future leaders know enough to act, will demand more and eventually succeed.

2021 dealt its fair share of loss, tragedy and separation beyond Covid. The Queen mourned her husband, Prince Philip and the nation, it’s longest serving Royal Consort. Parliament lost Sir David Amess – one of its most kind, funny and decent MPs in horrific circumstances. Once again, Richard Ratcliffe was on hunger strike in an effort to bring his wife, Nazanin home and reunite his family.

Next year will mean change in our region and for me personally. It is a great honour and an extraordinary privilege to serve as the first Mayor of South Yorkshire. The next four months will be my last as Mayor but I am determined to use every minute working to transform our communities for the better.

Despite the relentless pressures – from getting a devolution deal agreed in the first place, to the Brexit transition, flooding and most recently Covid – we have succeeded in establishing a properly functioning MCA. One that has been able to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of investment that will protect and create thousands of jobs; deliver huge investment in our public transport system; get us on track to be carbon net zero by 2040 at the latest; and much, much more besides.

Whatever the setbacks whether in the form of Afghanistan or the climate crisis – and yes, England’s seemingly eternal quest for silverware – I remain optimistic. This is because what we have achieved together in South Yorkshire in the toughest times, shows that we will succeed regardless of what is put in our path.

Once again, we are facing tough times. In this season of goodwill, we should remember that hope for our future rests on cooperation, solidarity and unity. We take heart in knowing these are the values on which we relied to overcome the pandemic and all the challenges we have overcome before. 

I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year.