As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the year that has gone by and take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy new year.
First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me once again during the general election in summer. It was truly an odds-defying night, and I have learned to never take anything for granted. My commitment to everyone, no matter how you voted, is to work tirelessly with continued energy and enthusiasm in the years ahead to make sure our voices are heard down in Westminster.
And what an incredibly busy first few months it has been back representing you.
As a Member of Parliament, I often think of the role not just as problem-solvers but as place-makers, and by that measure 2024 has been marked by significant progress across Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden and the Worth Valley.
Securing a new Airedale Hospital for our area remains one of my proudest moments to date, and I am delighted to see that enabling works on our new hospital are continuing to progress at pace. This is truly a once-in-a-generation development.
The previous Government's Levelling-Up agenda, which directly ringfenced a record ÂŁ33.6 million to the Keighley area through the towns fund, ÂŁ20 million of long-term plan monies and ÂŁ19.8 million of Levelling Up funding also continues to bring huge benefits to our area.
Funding for the Keighley Worth Valley Railway, for example, has seen the completion of Bridge 27, securing our iconic heritage railway long into the future. Providence Park is due to open in the new year, we are nearing completion of the revamped Keighley railway station, and Keighley fire station is also undergoing development. That is not to mention our mighty Keighley Cougars, to which the last Conservative Administration allocated ÂŁ2 million to regenerate the stands for the benefit of staff, fans and players alike.
We are also seeing the development of a new skills hub, a new manufacturing, engineering and tech hub, and a new health and wellbeing hub, with community groups like the Sangat Centre, JAMES, Keighley’s Central Hall and Haworth village all benefitting from investment to make sure that they can continue serving local residents.
And beyond politics, community spirit has shone brightly this year. Events like the Oxenhope Straw Race and Kath Neal’s annual Coffee Day have raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities. Fantastic community groups like Litter Free Ilkley, People First Keighley and Craven and Ilkley & District Good Neighbours have organised some absolutely fantastic events, and our town recently came together to celebrate the centenary of Keighley Cenotaph, welcoming dignitaries from France's Poix-Du-Nord.
However, as we enter the new year, it is important to remember that some huge challenges remain.
The removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners which strips up to ÂŁ300 from over 64,000 people across the Bradford District has placed additional burdens on many of the most vulnerable people in our area.
Whilst I vehemently opposed and voted against these changes in Parliament and will continue to fight them at every possible opportunity, I urge pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit in the meantime, which can provide vital support during the cold months ahead.
Additionally, Labour’s National Insurance tax hikes are also threatening small businesses and care providers across our community. Businesses, Care homes, GP surgeries, charities and hospices now face significant additional costs for the services they provide. It is clear our care providers should be exempted from these changes.
And for farmers, Labour’s policies are particularly unfair. I met with local farmers in our area in November following the Farmers Rally in London - all of them were multi generational family farming businesses, with sons, daughters and grandchildren who are keen to stay in farming.
The new government need to understand that our local farmers aren’t multi-millionaires—they are the backbone of our rural economy, and I’ll continue to be leading the fight in Parliament against Labour's Family Farm Tax as the Shadow Farming Minister.
Looking ahead, there is much to look forward to in the new year, but also much to do. The Levelling-Up projects in the pipeline need to be delivered as quickly as possible and the 2030 deadline for our new Airedale Hospital moves closer and closer. Our farmers will continue to need all our support as they fight to save their livelihoods. And on Walshaw Moor, we must all be prepared to stand up against the proposed Wind Farm, which is right in the heart of historic Brontë Country on protected peatland.
On all these issues, I look forward to working closely with local campaigners, community groups and local champions across our area.
I hope everyone across Keighley and Ilkley had a very Merry Christmas and can I wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2025.
Robbie Moore MP
