Launch of election Campaign for Ipswich Conservatives

It’s election time again! The Conservatives campaign all the year around, but you will see more of us over the next few weeks. Our candidates for the County Council, and for the two Borough Council elections, are campaigning hard and hope you will support their message of low taxes, quality services and policies designed to reward aspiration.

Conservatives already have County Councillors in Bixley, Chantry, Gainsborough, Rushmere and Whitehouse & Whitton Divisions. That’s more than half the people of Ipswich represented by Conservative County Councillors. Conservative County Councillors who voted to freeze council tax again this year. But Labour Borough Councillors voted to up the tax, meaning everyone will have to pay more in the future.

Last time Labour were in power at Endeavour House, the County Council HQ, they hiked up our Council Tax by more than 40% in four years. That included a rise of 18.5% in one year, which still costs most Ipswich households almost a hundred pounds every year.

We don’t need to look to history to see what Labour’s instinct is. Their leader on SCC is also an Ipswich Borough Councillor. This year he voted in favour of another council tax rise, whilst approving of wasteful spending.

Conservatives pledge to freeze council tax for the next four years. We will ensure that the county council lives within it’s means, and that you, the taxpayer, will not have to pick up the tab for Labour’s mistakes.

The Conservative candidates for Ipswich are:

Bixley – County Councillor Alan Murray

Chantry – Kevin Algar and Nadia Cenci (two seats)
Bridge - Bob Hall

Gainsborough  - County Councillor Carol Debman
Priory Heath - Mark Felix-Thomas

Rushmere – County Councillor Judy Terry

St Helen’s – Katherine Parkinson

St John’s – Eddy Phillips

St Margaret’s & Westgate – Lee Reynolds & Chris Stewart (two seats)

Whitehouse & Whitton – David Goldsmith & County Councillor Robin Vickery

There are also two by elections on Ipswich Borough Council, one in Alexandra and one in Whitehouse. Our candidates for these two seats are:

Alexandra – Eddy Phillips

Whitehouse – Paul West

How Ben Gummer is impressing Ipswich

Margaret Thatcher once said that Power/Being a Leader is like being a Lady, if you have to tell people you are, then you're not one!

Well David Ellesmere seems to be getting other people to do his work for him with a little bit of help from our local left wing paper, endeavouring to create an atmosphere of worried Tories about Ben Gummer's chances in the next election! It doesn't fool those of us who are pretty good at reading between the lines and know too well the tactics of the administration.

Apparently someone has written a letter in todays Ipswich Star, who is not on the electoral roll for Ipswich (so I've been told but I have not verified this myself) and could very well be someone we know connected to the Labour party. Their theory is that Ellesmere (as apposed to Ben,) has a positive approach to Ipswich.

Well this is news to me! And unlike the reader who probably doesn't live in Ipswich and may very well live in Norwich, I am not hiding anywhere. 

The truth is I have been hearing only good things on the doorstep from local residents. Not only this, they have come from labour supporters too. Now that's a scarcity in itself.

So Mr Geater et al, we are not in habit of looking at elections negatively or are we unduly worried. We will never be complacent but here are some of the things I have been told on the doorstep in the last week;

'I have to say how impressed I am with Ben Gummer, he really cares about Ipswich'

'I am a labour voter but I have to admit that Ben Gummer is a really good man'

'I am so impressed with Ben. He came round to see me and that is the first time ever I have seen my local MP'

'That Ben Gummer is a bright young man, isnt he? he really works hard'

'I see Ben and what he does for Ipswich in the papers all the time. Tell him to keep up the good work'

And there were more like that.

So whoever you really are Bradley, you had better get yourself on the electoral roll if you want to be able to vote for Ellesmere. or perhaps you need to move to Ipswich.

He's going to need your vote!

And Mr Geater - pray tell me who told you we were worried or is that made up too? Just saying!

One day the people of Ipswich will get to know the truth about the literature, PR and letters in Ipswich Star, from the labour group. With the exception of very few excellent labour councillors, who I really do respect and have affection for,  I have long given up on the integrity of their leader and their tactics..

so Ipswich people. Do some homework and find out who really is looking out for you in this town or who is just trying to get your votes. 

When Ben is doing such a good job, why would you go anywhere else?