Launch of Abena’s Christmas Card Competition 2026

I’m delighted to launch my annual Christmas card competition for pupils of all ages attending primary schools in the Erith and Thamesmead constituency!

The winning design will become my official Christmas card, sent to more than 1,000 local people, businesses and community groups, as well as fellow MPs, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Commons and His Majesty the King.

The theme for this year is: Christmas in Our Community!

I’m inviting pupils to draw or paint a festive design showing what Christmas in our community means to them. This could include local celebrations, acts of kindness, favourite places, family and friends, or anything that brings people together at Christmas.

Entries should be accompanied by a few sentences explaining why they chose that particular design and what community in Erith and Thamesmead means to them.

A panel of judges will choose the winning design. The winner will receive a gift, and every child who enters a design will receive a certificate thanking them for their participation.

The submission process is as follows:   

  1. The artwork must be A4 in size
  2. On the reverse of the artwork, the entry must be accompanied by a few sentences explaining why the pupil chose to draw it together with the pupil’s name, age, class and school  
  3. Pupils or teachers must scan or take a clear photo of the artwork and send via email to abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk with the message “Christmas card competition 2026” in the subject line.
  4. The entry must be accompanied by the consent form supplied to their school to be completed by the child’s parent or carer.

Submissions must be received by the end of the day on Friday 6th November 2026

The winners will be announced in an email to all participating schools shortly after the deadline. I hope to attend the winning school to present the prizes in person and will be in touch with the relevant school to arrange a visit. 

Below are some previous winners to provide some inspiration.

Finally, I want to wish all the participants the best of luck, and I cannot wait to see all of your brilliant designs!

If you have any questions about the competition, please get in touch at: abena.oppongasare.mp@parliament.uk.

Best wishes,

Abena

Photos from previous years:

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Election as Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

I’m honoured to have been elected Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee in Parliament.

Having served on the Committee, on the Shadow Frontbench, as a government minister and as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, I have seen scrutiny from both sides of the table. I am delighted to bring that experience to this new role.

For me, this role is about ensuring that the voices of communities across the country are heard in Parliament and that government decisions are properly scrutinised. I am committed to leading an independent, evidence-led Committee and working constructively with colleagues from all parties to deliver real improvements for the people we represent.

You can find out more about my priorities for the Committee in my candidacy video here, my candidate statement here or my social media post below.

Social Media post:

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Response to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Dear constituent,

Thank you to all those who took the time to contact me about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill and for sharing your views on this important and deeply personal issue.

Today, the House of Commons debated and voted on the Bill at Second Reading. The Bill failed to pass by 286 votes to 270.

After careful consideration, I voted against it. This is also consistent with the position I took on a similar Bill during the previous parliamentary session, which ultimately did not become law.

I want to stress that I am not opposed to assisted dying in principle. However, having listened carefully to constituents, considered the evidence before Parliament and reflected on the debate, I remained unconvinced that this particular Bill contains safeguards that are sufficiently robust to address a number of important concerns.

These include questions around prognostic uncertainty, the definition of terminal illness, the adequacy of safeguards for vulnerable people, and concerns raised by disabled people, medical organisations and others about how the legislation would operate in practice.

I also agree with the Prime Minister that improving social care must be one of our country’s top priorities. Whatever view people take on assisted dying, I hope we can all agree that access to high-quality social care, palliative care and end-of-life support is not good enough for too many people and families. I believe we should be focusing far more attention and energy on ensuring that everyone approaching the end of life can access the care, dignity and support they deserve.

As patron of the Community Hospice in Abbey Wood, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary care provided by hospice staff and the difference that good palliative and end-of-life care can make to patients and their families. Their work demonstrates what is possible when people receive the support they need.

I spoke in today’s debate to explain my position in full. You can view my speech here and read it in Hansard here.

Thank you again for those who got in touch and shared their views with me. I recognise that people hold sincere and strongly held views on all sides of this debate, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to contact me as I considered my position.

Yours sincerely,

Abena Oppong-Asare MP

Member of Parliament for Erith and Thamesmead

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