You never know for certain what the New Year will bring but 2012 has been heralded as a time of belt-tightening austerity and financial misery for many.

That may or may not be how it works out but one thing that I do know is that you see the strength of a people, of a community not when the going is easy but when times are tough.

I have already seen so many examples of people rallying round and showing the legendary resilience of Londoners that I allow myself a small sense of pride in their actions.

Maybe we will finally learn than people are more important that consumer goods and that there is more joy and satisfaction to be found in the doing of a good deed for a needy neighbour  than in mounds of glittering goodies that will bankrupt the giver and disappoint the recipient when the shiny gizmo refuses to stir after a mere day's usage.

A little austerity could actually be a good thing but I'll keep the pressure on the Conservative and Liberal government to ensure that we do not get too much of that good thing!

Wishing each and every Ealing North person a peaceful and happy new year,