As 2026 dawns, I would like to wish all Members, Supporters, and Workers a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Your commitment, resilience, and solidarity throughout the past twelve months have been nothing short of inspiring, and it is with that same spirit that we look ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the year to come.
Labour’s first full year in government has been deeply turbulent. Under their leader, Keir Starmer, the Party has experienced a dramatic and historically significant collapse in public support. Polling at around 30% in January 2025, Labour’s rating had fallen to 18–19% by December — one of the steepest declines for a newly elected government in modern UK political history. This shift reflects a growing sense of disillusionment among working people who expected meaningful change but instead encountered policies that failed to address the realities of everyday life.
Among the most unpopular decisions were the continued facilitation of illegal immigration, the rollout of an unpopular Digital ID system, and persistent concerns over the direction of the economy. These issues have contributed to a widespread feeling that the government is out of touch with the pressures facing ordinary households.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, it has been difficult to find positive news. One exception has been the increase in the National Minimum Wage. In April 2025, it rose to £12.21, and it is scheduled to rise again in April 2026 to £12.71. While welcome, these increases still fall short of what is needed to keep pace with inflation, housing costs, and the rising price of essentials. Workers deserve not just survival, but dignity — and that requires more than incremental adjustments.
As we look forward to the coming year, we can only hope that the Government will finally implement policies that genuinely reduce the cost of living and support working families. If they fail to do so, then it will fall to us — The Workers — to hold them accountable at the ballot box. Our strength lies in our unity, our voice, and our willingness to stand up for fairness, justice, and economic security.
Please enjoy the rest of this festive period. We at Solidarity look forward to working for you, standing with you, and fighting alongside you in the New Year. Together, we will continue to push for the change our communities need and deserve.
Glen Nicklason
