Political opinion column: Martin Hey's five wishes for 2026

1. Getting serious about road safety.

Many of the traffic jams we experience are caused by serious accidents on our roads. Whilst for most of us this is simply inconvenient, for the victims of these crashes (and their loved ones) the consequences are tragic. 30,000 people every year in the UK are killed or seriously injured on our roads, and whilst the council has a target of reaching zero deaths and injuries by 2040, action to match this ambition is lacking. Last year, Calderdale Council only spent £440,000 on the Safer Roads Programme. My first wish is for road safety to be made a bigger council priority.

2. A better deal from West Yorkshire

2025 has seen the allocation of additional responsibilities to the West Yorkshire Mayor, coupled with a lot more money coming from central government. Worryingly, our council has struggled to make its voice heard at the Mayor’s base in Leeds. Even the simplest road (and road safety) improvement ends up being deprioritised in favour of the billion pound tram scheme for the Leeds and Bradford area. I would like the council to fight harder for Calderdale when West Yorkshire-wide decisions are being made.

3. Ending the incinerator saga

Calderdale Council does of course get its fair share of criticism – a lot of which is unfair. However, in the case of the proposed incinerator at Sowerby Bridge, I think we've now reached the point where the Labour cabinet’s support for the project is unsustainable. The proposed site continues to be prone to flooding and research has been unable to establish exactly how much nitrogen dioxide and arsenic will belch from the new facility’s chimney. Rather than dragging local residents through more legal proceedings, I hope that the council will take a step back and abandon its support for the project.

4. Fair council tax for all

Council budget proposals for next year suggest a five per cent hike in council tax. This reflects the huge responsibility the council has, caring for young, old and vulnerable people. However, steps need to be taken to avoid these increases year after year. Moreover, last year's 60 per cent increase in council tax for the poorest in Calderdale has been a major contributor to poverty in the borough and must be reversed.

5. A greener Calderdale

Finally, I hope that we can do much more in 2026 to protect nature and fight climate change. We need schemes that promote the use of cheap, clean energy; we need to improve our natural environment; and we need to support flood schemes in all our valleys that will protect us from current and future climate change threats.

Now, I know what you're thinking - wishes never come true. However, there is a way to make these dreams a reality. Calderdale Green Party will campaign on all these issues - and more - in the May 2026 election. So, next year, vote for better, greener Calderdale. Merry Christmas.