Mike Tapp, the Member of Parliament for Dover and Deal, has declared that 2026 will be the year Britain turns a corner, with his constituency beginning to feel the tangible benefits of a national shift. In a review of the government's progress, Tapp emphasised that after years of feeling let down by politics, local residents are now seeing a clear change in direction.
Delivering on Core Priorities: From Energy Bills to NHS Lists
Tapp stated that his parliamentary focus remains squarely on standing up for local people, with key aims being reducing the cost of living and cutting NHS waiting lists. He contrasted Labour's approach with what he described as the "division and pessimism" offered by the Conservatives, Reform UK, and the Green Party.
The MP outlined a series of concrete measures already in motion to support households. From April, average household energy bills will fall by £150. Millions of low-paid workers will gain from a rise in the National Living Wage, worth an extra £900 annually. In a significant move for commuters, rail fares have been frozen for the first time in three decades, while fuel duty cuts are extended and the £3 bus fare cap remains until at least March 2027.
Further support includes freezing prescription charges below £10 and launching free breakfast clubs in 500 more schools nationwide, including six in Dover and Deal, saving parents up to £450 per year. The government is also ending the Two Child Limit, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.
Local Investment and National Renewal
Tapp highlighted specific initiatives aimed at long-term growth for the area. Labour's Pride in Place initiative, launched last year, is channeling investment into parts of the constituency. He pledged to continue fighting for the area's fair share of national renewal, focusing on better public services and new opportunities for the next generation.
Looking ahead, Tapp confirmed that more police will be on local streets by March, with new health hubs opening in April. He also noted the closure of more asylum hotels and increased funding reaching local councils.
A Call for Unity and Optimism
While acknowledging that challenges cannot be solved overnight, the Dover and Deal MP insisted the path forward is clear. "This is a time for optimism, but also for unity," Tapp said. He urged a rejection of the "politics of division and decline," arguing that by working together, a better future can be built for both the community and the country.
"2026 is the year we seize that opportunity, move forward with confidence, and show that Britain and Dover and Deal are back on track," he concluded, framing the coming year as pivotal for both national recovery and local prosperity in Kent.
