2026 Predictions
It is 15 years since I started publishing annual predictions. Some have fared better than others. 2026 is a chance for a new start and there’s plenty to do, so here’s my ten predictions for the coming year.
- Devonport, Mount Wise and Morice Town will agree an ambitious plan on how to spend £2m a year from the Labour Government I won of our community. This is transformative amounts of money for Morice Town, Mount Wise and Devonport. The community will come together to agree a plan in 2026 and it will be the embodiment of change you can see. Have your say with public meetings starting in January.
- Spades in the ground on first of the new 10,000 homes in the city centre. I want Plymouth to get back to building homes people can afford. That’s why with the Labour Council I helped secure funding for the city to start building at least 10,000 homes in the city centre, the first ones now under construction at Bath Street, showing that the hard work really does pays off. And in 2026 more plans for new homes will be unveiled across the city centre creating a new energy about new housing in the heart of Plymouth.
- Our city remembers Keyham. In August we will mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy in Keyham and Ford. I am working with local churches to hold events to remember those we lost, those shot but who survived, the families of the victims and those who witnessed and responded to the tragedy. My campaign to overhaul gun laws has delivered many improvements and I’m working to deliver more improvements in 2026 too.
- Tough elections in May. I prefer up front honesty than political spin. After years of successive large wins for Labour in the city’s local elections, I think it will be a much tougher set of elections for Labour in May. But I don’t believe the doomsayers predictions of a wipe out.
- The rebuilding of our armed forces starts in earnest. With a historic increase in defence spending and Plymouth benefiting from spend on new submarine docks and new marine autonomy platforms there will be a strong focus on how we increase defence skills in the city to meet the growing demand for workers in the dockyard and our emerging defence businesses. I’m predicting lots of new jobs especially for those at the start of their careers.
- New fire station. Having kicked off the campaign for a new fire station to replace the old and tired Camels Head station in 2025, there will be progress on building a new station. Our firefighters deserve somewhere decent to work.
- Public services will still be under strain — but rebuilding will finally replace firefighting. In 2026 we’ll see more structural fixes, particularly in the NHS and local government, with prevention and early intervention back in fashion. The new diagnostics centre and dental hub will open in the city centre and plans for the next stage of the health village I’ve long advocated for will be announced. Now that the Labour Government funded the emergency department extension at Derriford we’ll see the building slowly emerge from the ground over the course of next year too. NHS waiting lists will continue to fall as the unprecedented investment from the government continues to pay off.
- People turn against the division online. In the past few months more people are prepared to stand up and call out the online trolls who delight in division and insults. As those right wing parties who need division to win peddle more and more hate and grievances, the reaction against them will see the decent middle of Plymouth stand up and start to call it out more. I hope voters will reward people who do the hard graft: fixing things, rebuilding trust, and telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable — rather than chasing the outrage of the week.
- More people insulate their homes. Plymouth has too many homes with poor insulation and as new government grants roll out more people will opt for thicker loft insulation and external wall insulation. Those who do will see their energy bills fall as well as the knowledge that they’re cutting carbon. £150 off energy bills, £300 for those on means tested benefits, is a big step forward, but better insulation will help bring down bills this year, next year and every year after too. Why not start 2026 with a plan to insulate your home better? Google home insulation and get started.
- Argyle stay up and Albion continue their winning ways. Argyle will avoid a double drop and might even contest play off places if our winning run can continue. Albion will continue to quietly win on the pitch and grow the crowd at Brickfields.