2025: Week 50 - Looking forward

By many measures 2025 was an eventful year, with a lot of surprises.  Extreme weather events, some extreme Trump events (such as tariffs), Government U-turns, winning the Women’s Euros and the Women’s Rugby World Cup – and a surprise England Test match win in Australia…

As we look forward to 2026, I wonder what we can expect: more debate on re-structuring local government; a growing economy – perhaps – albeit slowly; American mid-term elections that could turn against Trump as the electorate get fed up with his increasingly erratic behaviour; perhaps a burst of the AI investment bubble that has been supporting the US economy; and maybe the US will see the reality of Putin as ceasefire negotiations continue in Ukraine?

Every year we can only guess what we might face on the global stage, and every year we deal with what we get.  However, I do know that we must support Ukraine in their efforts on the frontline of Europe, and that we must support the people of Gaza who are caught between the Hammas Terrorists and the overzealous Israeli military – continuing what we have been doing this last year. 

To me it is equally clear that we must do everything we can to combat climate change and not give in to the fossil fuel vested interests that would put profit before planet. Investment in new green industries including wave and tidal power must be better than going backwards and opening new oil fields – or as some would have it even re-opening Welsh coal mines.

We have seen some real technological improvements this year too.  In areas like Artificial Intelligence tools are revolutionising many day-to-day tedious tasks.  Despite how clever they sound, AI is still just a useful tool.

For me the highlight of the last year has been the number of people that my team and I have been able to help in the constituency.  From homelessness to healthcare, from money problems to making tax digital and so much more, we have managed to help people where the system has gone wrong for them.

We have made changes at Westminster too – getting the funding formula for GPs changed so that some of our GP Practices won’t be short changed, re-starting the process to regulate private parking companies, and having the visas extended for our guests from Ukraine are just a few things we have done.

So, for next year, we push forward, deal with what comes up and do what we can to make peoples lives better.  I feel so grateful to be in a position to make a difference and to be able to help where I can.

We may live in uncertain times, but there is still optimism and possibility.  The days are getting longer and soon we will see the snowdrops and daffodils of early summer.   And as they say: the future’s bright…

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!