New Year's resolutions

Every New Year we delude ourselves with hopelessly optimistic resolutions that normally last until January 2 in the vain hope of atoning for our festive sins.

Steven Ford, 27, from Hereford Walk, Basildon, has vowed never to touch a drop of alcohol again after sinking one too many over the holidays.

He said: "I'm going to give up drinking beer - no more lager for me. I've had far too many hangovers lately. I've been drinking since I was 18 and now I'm quitting."

Lorna Unsworth, 26, from Whit Drive, Wickford, has pledged to give her credit card a well earned rest after using it to buy presents for her 10-month-old son Niall.

"I'm going to try and sort my finances out. I've been spending far too much on the plastic," she said as she headed towards the 'giant sale' sign in a shop window.

However, not everyone is quite so predictable.

Mark Harris, 37, from South Green, Billericay left B&Q in Basildon's Festival Leisure Park with a big bag of purple wallpaper.

He said: "I'm going to be decorating the house, that's my New Year's resolution, starting with my daughter's room. I don't think I'll be getting any help though, she's only three."

Tricia Hull, a 22-year-old secretary from Whitmore Way, Basildon, dismisses the whole idea as unnecessary.

She said modestly: "I don't need to make any New Year's resolutions because I'm perfect."

Sadly those of us from the non-perfect majority must begin planning how to best to go about succeeding with our resolutions.

But don't worry all you pub landlords and kebab shop owners - we'll be back soon!

No more beer, ever! - Steven Ford, 27

(Right) Resting the plastic - Lorna Unsworth, 26

Purple plans - Mark Harris, 37, has decorating in mind

(Right) Perfect - Tricia Hall, 22

Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY Sir Teddy Taylor

Rochford and Southend East MP Sir Teddy Taylor's resolutions came with the hope of helping the promotional chances of Southend United and the Tory party.

However, first on his must list was: "To tell the truth. I always do, but I really feel with the growth of the public relations industry we are coming to a situation where people don't believe what politicians say.

"We've all got to concentrate on telling the truth all the time.

"I've also got to lose weight. I don't get as much exercise as I should, and spend far too much time in the car. I'll do this by having one meal a day.

"That will leave more time for other things too."

Sir Teddy resolved to battle for the Southend by-pass. He said: "I think it is desperately needed because of the traffic congestion, and it would help reduce pollution.

"It would also help Shoebury to have a route there right from the A127."

He also pledged to fight any further moves towards a single European currency. David Amess

Southend West MP David Amess has resolved to take his black labrador, Michael, for longer walks. He decided they could both do with more exercise.

He said: "Another resolution is to understand that everything my wife says is correct. Her judgment is pretty good.

"I also want to do everything I can possibly do to improve the quality of life for residents of Southend West."

Mr Amess listed other resolutions:

To work towards getting the Tories back in power nationally and locally

To see the panto at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, in 1999

To do everything possible to help keep hospital waiting times down and limit class sizes in schools

To help workers with voluntary organisations gain the recognition they deserve

Finally, Mr Amess said: "I want to win the National Lottery. I would have no trouble in spending a large amount of money, and would make sure that various causes would receive it. I was one of the people very much in favour of the lottery.

"We have been very lucky in Southend with the number of winners we have had." Christine Butler

Castle Point MP Christine Butler's first resolution was to keep focussing on transport troubles and redouble her work with ministers to get Essex moving.

Mrs Butler also aims to perk up her floppy pot plants in 1999.

She said she was so busy as an MP that it was only too easy to forget these, and added that as a member of the committee for Environment, Transport and the Regions: "It is rather sad to focus so much energy on the environment and then come home to neglected house plants."

Finally she pledged to urge the authorities to tackle the plight of homeless families and individuals in Castle Point.

Teresa Gorman

Billericay MP Teresa Gorman, whose outspoken comments about the firefighters' strike sparked a storm of protest, said her first resolution was: Be nice to the firemen.

She added: "They're rather cross with me, but I do think they were badly behaved.

"I'm sorry to have upset them and I'm going to have tea with the firemen in Basildon in the New Year, because they have invited me.

"I'm going to refuse to accept any payment in Euros."

Mrs Gorman added wryly: "I'm going to continue to spread happiness wherever I go."

Angela Smith

Banana-skinning Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Angela Smith has resolved to change her ways in 1999.

Not that she leaves the treacherous peelings on the floor of the House of Commons. She quipped: "There are enough there already."

Instead, they get left in the car, so top of her New Year resolution list, is to clean up her vehicle.

She said: "I tend to throw banana skins down in the car. I've got new life-forms in there now.

"The embarrassing thing is, last year's New Year resolution was to clean the car. I fulfilled that on January 2 and haven't done it since, so I suppose this year's resolution is still to clean my car.

"My staff have told me I've got to keep a tidier desk. I know where everything is, but I've got to try and make it more aesthetically pleasing.

"I also want to see more of my friends. I tend to get buried in my work, so I want to make a little bit more time for them.

"Finally, I hope to continue doing a good job as MP for the people of Basildon. I am very fortunate to have the job I have got, and I want to do it well."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.