I ALWAYS find the new year a slightly odd time of year. Having had 52 of them (although the first few were fairly meaningless, of course), they seem to follow a similar pattern – a glance over the shoulder at the year past; a look to the future to hope for a better year. The annual question: what will next year bring that is better than last year?

What never fails to boost my mood is the optimism of the human spirit.

Generally speaking, most people look forward to a better year, not a worse one. It is that intrinsically optimistic human trait that means that from year to year, generation to generation, we develop as a society and become more civilised, more advanced, better at looking after ourselves. After all, it is that optimism that we can make ourselves, personally, better that leads to the plethora of diets being sold every year!

Probably the biggest thing that will happen this year that will affect all our lives (or not) is the referendum for membership of the European Union.

As a member of the Treasury select committee, I am looking in depth at the economic benefits of our membership of the EU and single market.

We will produce a report in due course and until we do, there is little point in speculating what it will say.

Eleven other select committees are doing likewise for their departments and every one will be interesting.

If these committees look similar to the Treasury committee, there is a balanced mix between Eurosceptics and Europragmatists.

I have argued before in these pages that I feel that the increase in risk to households in Wyre Forest as a result of Brexit would be unacceptably high. But I also realise that the arguments are complex and nuanced.

Because of the complexity, there is probably no right answer to whether we are better off in or out. But as the local MP, whilst I maintain we are probably better off in, I don’t necessarily see it as my job to persuade people how they should vote.

What I do believe my job will be is to make sure that everyone gets the best possible and factually accurate information so they can make their own decisions.

And in the meantime, I shall have another go, probably fruitlessly, at one of those diets.

CONTACT YOUR MP

Email: mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk

Telephone: 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771

Write: 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU, or House of Commons, Westminster, London