SHOPPERS shared their hopes and wishes for 2026 with the North Somerset Labour Party just before Christmas.
On Saturday, December 20, North Somerset Labour Party and MP Sadik Al-Hassan were speaking with residents and shoppers about the Autumn budget, which took place in November.
Volunteers set up a stall which included a poster showing the ways that the party says it is putting more money into people’s pockets at Nailsea Christmas Farmers Market.
Nearby, a Christmas tree stood waiting to be decorated with gift tags describing what policies people were wishing for from the Government in 2026.
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The poster celebrated some of the policies enacted by the Labour Government in its first 17 months in power, including: the freezing of rail fares and prescription charges; free school meals and breakfast clubs; the raising of the minimum wage and the state pension; the Workers’ Rights Act; and the banning of no-fault evictions.
Hildegard Dumper, one of the volunteers from North Somerset Labour Party, said: “At first it was quite hard work to get shoppers engaged. Most shoppers brushed past, refusing to stop. But then there was what felt like a Nativity moment. A young couple with a baby and a toddler stopped to tighten the straps of their buggy. Asked what their wish was, they stated they needed a new home.
“They cheerfully explained they were about to be made homeless as their landlord was selling the house they were living in. Here was a young couple about to be made homeless, yet they were positive and cheerful, as if looking forward towards a star of hope.
“I was delighted to be able to tell this couple that our Labour Government is strengthening rights for tenants like them with the Renters’ Rights Act — which bans no-fault evictions — giving tenants more time to find a new home and reducing the risk of homelessness.”
By the end of the market, 64 shoppers had shared their views with the Labour Party. The top areas of ‘wishes for 2026’ were tax, the environment, children and young people, and health.
Two-thirds of those who mentioned tax as their wish asked for a higher tax from those who could afford it. Environmental issues ranged from fixing potholes to supporting net zero. Those who highlighted the needs of children and young people mentioned expanding childcare to the under-threes and increasing school budgets.
Yue He Parkinson, one of the volunteers from North Somerset Labour Party, described the conversations she had: “One person said that Labour should be allowed to get on and do its job. Another pointed out that change takes time.”
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