09 Jan 2026
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins is beginning 2026 with a newfound sense of hope – hope for economic growth, for better support for our high streets and hospitality industries, and that we will see real and positive change from the Government over the coming 12 months.
But in the meantime, things are still very much on an uneven footing, and she remains busy fire-fighting on a variety of issues both nationally and locally, which doesn’t reflect well on her opinions of the Labour Government.
“I just think they’re terrible at politics actually. There’s one side of me that wants to give them the benefit of the doubt, but now it seems as though they’re almost too afraid to take on these big corporations, and the people who are then paying the price are households and businesses across the country.
“My frustrations with this Government are the same as most people I think, businesses are writing to me about the impact of the Budget, whether it’s the increase in minimum wage – which of course they want to pay – but they’re struggling with the increase in business rates, energy costs…
“Across hospitality in the UK there is real anger now against the Government, which is a really sad reflection that they’re not standing up for businesses or households, while at the same time they haven’t increased the taxes for the social media sites who are making billions in profits for example. They say they’re taxing wealth but actually they’re not taxing extreme wealth or the extreme wealth of corporations that are actually making massive profits while people are suffering.
“Even in an area like this where lots of families were well-off they are now finding they’re checking their budgets every month.”
One of her focuses recently has been visiting local schools to explain the role of an MP and answer questions on democratic processes, as well as promoting her safer screens initiative as part of her position as Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Science, Innovation and Technology.
“I never knew my MP growing up. I never saw them in school or around and for me Westminster was such a distant place, so if kids know who I am and get excited when I come in for me that shows they feel empowered.
“With safer screens, we started with sixth forms but the conversation is so big and important that we’re continuing for other year groups and primary schools, and I’m asking a lot of my colleagues to do the same because the feedback has been so incredible.
“There are many voices – students, teachers and parents – who are now talking about these issues, whether it’s the use of smartphones, social media or AI chatbots, which the Government has not fully addressed in the new Online Safety Act.
“It’s really important to hear the voice of young people – one said to me that they can’t stop doomscrolling [the compulsive habit of endlessly scrolling through negative news and distressing content online], it’s as addictive as a drug – so we need to continue that discussion. At Manland Primary School [in Harpenden] one of the pupils in Year 6 pointed out all the stuff going on in Australia and asked what’s happening here in the UK?”
Australia has implemented legislation banning children under 16 from creating accounts on major social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, whereas here the Lib Dems called for an increase in the age for data collection by big tech companies from 13 to 16 in a bid to tackle the addictive algorithms they are subjected to, only for the Government to reject their proposals.
Victoria reflected on why there appears to be a lack of impetus from the Government to take action against these firms: “In all honesty there is a question about to what extent they are pandering to big tech, and American big tech particularly.”
Returning the focus on her visits to schools locally, she said: “It does sound a bit cheesy, but speaking to pupils and helping them feel as though they’re part of democracy is a real joy for me.”
Some of the questions she’s asked also prompt a smile: “One pupil asked me ‘Why are you so important?’ I said I don’t think I’m important but my role is. Other questions included whether I like Taylor Swift and why I’m not married! I said he hasn’t asked yet but I’ll tell him you’re putting the pressure on.”
So far we’ve heard a lot of negativity surrounding the Labour Government, what then would she like to see them achieve over the next three and a half years? “I think the biggest thing for me is that we have to start growing the economy, and there’s no surprise from us that we think we need to have a better relationship with Europe to make this happen as a potential customs union could raise £25 billion a year.
“That would make a massive difference because we can’t keep stealing from Peter and Paul to put money into a black hole that isn’t actually growing our economy. We can’t tax our way out of this problem, so we need to take that relationship with Europe seriously.
“We also need to support businesses which support jobs. They’re saying they’re protecting working people, but the increased costs on businesses mean they have not only cut staff but also frozen staff, so how is that helping anyone on the job ladder?
“Good businesses support their employers, so you’ve go to support those businesses first, and I think the Government is seriously underestimating the impact they’re having on the ones who actually help grow our economy.”
Meanwhile, we’ve heard time after time the reasons why SADC has been forced to introduce on-street parking charges in Harpenden, with an ongoing pressure to balance the budget in the face of reduced financial support from the Government.
But she will also be aware that the charges are taking a real toll locally, so should she not be supporting the council in finding alternative options or amending some of its decisions, rather than the current situation where senior councillors seem to be sticking to their guns regardless of public opposition and an independent evaluation by Harpenden Town Council?
“I think it is important that these concerns are raised properly, and I understand there will be a formal review at some point. When these surveys come in those voices should be heard and after we’ve looked at what the real impact is then we should look at solutions to help get it right.
“But how do we get it right and balance the books? I’ve written letter after letter to the local council, and I’ve also raised it in Parliament because there are several other councils up and down the country who are doing this.
“The real terms funding cut in the St Albans district over the last decade was something like 45 per cent – because we have some of the lowest deprivation rates in the country the Government said you don’t need as much money from us, you’ll need to raise more from fees.
“However, we need to be supporting our businesses, and that’s why I think a constructive exchange of ideas is the right thing to do, whether it’s simplifying parking for the first hour, but getting to a place where it’s good for our high street within the financial constraints the council has been given.
“My understanding is that now we’ve seen the behaviour change and the impact, it’s making sure a formal review is done properly, and feedback from surveys and other forums should be also be heard.”
Victoria said while she actively strives to ensure her constituents’ voices are heard in Parliament, she stressed how many frustrations come down to issues where the district council lacks the decision-making power or resources to do what they would like to for the benefit of local communities.
“It’s that ongoing tension which means we’re going back to the Government again and again saying we’re given the responsibility but keep having our feet cut from under us. That’s the bit I find quite frustrating, so it’s how we can make sure councils have the proper power to make things happen for local people.”
Finally, the British political sphere is going through a major period of flux at the moment – what does she see happening in the long-term? “In all honesty I don’t know. In the last election cycle about 18 months in everyone thought Boris Johnson would have a super-majority the next time, and that is a warning that you really cannot tell what will happen.
“The thing for me though is that the usual voter bases don’t count anymore and that’s the big shift. For example, voters who would potentially vote Labour or Conservative are now coming to either the Lib Dems or Reform, it’s that volatile, and of course there are other parties too who are coming up. I think it’s just too early to say what will happen in the next few years.”
