Love is in the air for Labour’s first six months of policy

‘What Labour is doing for you’ was the theme of the stall run by North Somerset Labour Party at Nailsea market on Saturday 15^th February.

Volunteers from the Labour Party braved the rain at Nailsea market on Saturday to listen to locals’ opinions on the achievements of the Labour Government so far. Although Labour has only been in power for six months, they have already put in place several major policies that will directly improve people’s lives in North Somerset.

Shoppers, despite the damp and cold, readily stopped to put hearts on the topics they felt most positive about. The policy that received the most hearts was the news that Portishead Railway will be going ahead — an example of North Somerset feeling the benefit of their Labour MP working closely with the Labour Government.

Sadik Al-Hassan MP lobbied hard to make sure that Portishead Railway got the final go ahead this month. Many residents expressed their gratitude to Sadik for his role alongside many other longtime committed campaigners in getting it over the final hurdle after over 30 years of delay.

Other popular policies in Nailsea included the 6.7% pay rise for care workers, £6.8m funding boost for public health services in North Somerset, shielding small businesses from business rates inflation, £4.9m for bus services in North Somerset, and an extra £1.8m to fix local potholes.

Volunteers at the stall described positive interactions with the public. Dr David Punter, North Somerset Labour Party’s Policy Officer, said, “People appear to understand that we’re in this for the long haul and are willing to be patient and supportive. I felt very heartened.”

Cllr. Clare Hunt, Labour’s District Councillor for Nailsea Youngwood, also enjoyed speaking to residents at the stall. She said, “From my experience today and from regular contact with constituents, people seem to be more positive about what Labour is doing than the media would have you believe.”

Local issues raised by Nailsea locals included the need for better bus services, accessibility concerns at Nailsea and Backwell Train Station, Bristol Airport expansion, and housing.

Sadik Al-Hassan MP said, “It has been a privilege to listen and respond to the issues affecting thousands of constituents in Nailsea and across North Somerset — via email or at my surgeries — since being elected in July. I’m grateful to my Labour colleagues for holding this stall and look forward to working to help resolve the issues raised.” To raise an issue with Sadik or organise to attend one of his surgeries, you can email him and his team on sadik.alhassan.mp@parliament.uk.