Shropshire Star

Cards of the House: Shropshire and Mid Wales MPs' greetings

From the Houses of Parliament in the snow to a festive photo-booth session, MPs always try to find their own way of saying Merry Christmas.

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Shrewsbury cheer – the card sent by Daniel Kawczynski

But while David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg - not to mention former PM Tony Blair - put themselves on the front of their cards this year, MPs in Shropshire and Mid Wales have settled for something more traditional.

David Wright's Christmas card

Telford MP David Wright, Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies and The Wrekin's Mark Pritchard have all picked festive scenes from the capital.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski has used a picture of the town's Square and North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has opted for a religious scene.

South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has not yet selected a card to send out.

Mr Kawczynski said he decided to use an image of Shrewsbury as he was sending the card out across the globe and wanted to show off the town's beauty.

He added: "I used a traditional image of Shrewsbury as I will be sending the card not only to people within the British Isles but also several will be going overseas.

"I will be putting different messages in each card but there is also a printed message wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year."

One of Glyn Davies's two offerings

Mr Wright added: "I like to send a card that has a theme of Parliament at Christmas time. Can I take this opportunity to wish Shropshire Star readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

He has also donned a Christmas jumper for the festive period in a bid to raise money for charity.

"I'm delighted to support Save the Children to help raise funds for its vital work in the UK and around the world and what better way to do this than to get into the festive spirit and take part in their Christmas Jumper campaign," he said.

Mr Pritchard is sending out two different designs, one showing Big Ben and the other a religious scene the same as the one Mr Paterson is sending out,

He said: "Christmas is a time for family, friends and remembering that Christ came into the world to save the world.

One of Mark Pritchard's cards

"It is a message of salvation, hope, and a bright future for all who receive Him into their lives."

Mr Davies said he is sending out a Big Ben card but will also be posting one designed by his grandson.

He said: "I'm probably sending about 300 cards this year. I've got quite a lot of Big Ben ones left over from a few years ago, but I'm aiming to send out most of my cards with the snowflake on it designed by my four-year-old grandson."

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg opted for starkly different styles for their final festive cards before the general election battle.

The Prime Minister has signalled his intent with a statesman-like photograph outside 10 Downing Street, posing with wife Samantha and a group of Chelsea Pensioners.

Mr Miliband, meanwhile, has opted for a more personal touch. The Labour leader sits at a table at his London home with wife Justine and their sons, five-year-old Daniel and Samuel, four.

Owen Paterson's religious theme

But Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg and wife Miriam have gone off-beat. The couple are shown in passport-style shots, with the Deputy Prime Minister donning a Santa hat.

Mrs Clegg, seen sporting a Christmas jumper alongside her husband, is said to have been inspired by the number of photo booths she has seen at weddings recently.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage is reportedly planning to use a cartoon of a "white van man" driving over the other three party leaders.

Clinical psychologist Ronald Bracey said Mr Cameron's card showed he wanted to be "right in the middle of things".

He added: "It's quite telling that Downing Street's number 10 appears almost like a halo above his head. In fact it's not really a Christmas card at all.

"It's more of a portrait of power – a statement about how he sees his role in the country and the world."

He said of Mr Miliband's card: "It's quite sweet, but it's not the kind of strong image you would associate with a leader. It's quite childlike, actually."

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg's cards

Of Mr Clegg's offering he said: "He's saying, 'What will be, will be,' and that there is more to life than politics.

"Rather than looking too serious, he's being playful and he's not too bothered whether people like it or not."

The Blair's card has attracted many comments

However, none will attract the level of attention the card sent out by former Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie have opted for. The card, showing Mr Blair with a fixed grin, has attracted attention from across the globe on social networking site Twitter.

Comments on the site described the picture as being "menacingly odd", "fabulously awkward", "terrifying" and plain "creepy".

Meanwhile, letters and cards to Santa have revealed that Disney has overtaken Lego as children's most wanted present this year.

Royal Mail said the traditional toy has been replaced as the most popular item, with merchandise from Disney film Frozen now the favourite, ahead of Lego and bikes which took second and third place respectively.

The postal service said it analysed a proportion of the several hundred thousand letters sent from children – before sending them on to the North Pole – and has compiled a list of the top 10 most-requested toys.

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