I would like to send best wishes to everyone celebrating Chinese New Year! Across the world friends and loved ones will be coming together, to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to the future.

Chinese New Year celebrations are marked by wonderful traditions that date back thousands of years. Each year they remind us of how alive and vibrant Chinese culture is in Britain today. As we usher in a new year, let us also celebrate the ongoing contributions of British Chinese communities who have helped to shape the economic, social and cultural identity of our nation. This year, we enter the Year of the Rat. Rats are known symbols of wealth and new beginnings and those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be resourceful, quick-witted and adaptable. Liberal Democrats will work to ensure that the Year of the Rat is one marked by success and prosperity for all our communities. To all those celebrating, I wish you good health and joy this Chinese New Year. Xin Nian Kuai Le!