Suffolk County Council have just published the result of the Northern Route Consultation. The Inner Route is the clear favourite but the Strategic Outline Business Case identifies serious concerns over political and public support, together with an acknowledgement that any new road would not get central government funding and would have to be paid for by building at least 15,000 new homes. Today, Mid-Suffolk and East Suffolk District Councils removed their support from the project.
With our first past the post voting system there were calls by some for Liberal Democrats to vote Labour in Ipswich to keep the Conservatives out. Clearly this came nowhere near to succeeding with the Conservatives getting a majority of over 5,000 even with many Liberal Democrat supporters voting Labour. The main consequence was that we lost our deposit by just 40 votes. The loss of £500 is not insignificant for a local party of our size.That sum would be enough for us to run a campaign in an extra ward in the Borough Council elections in May.
After a rollercoaster ride over the past five weeks, I must first thank each and everyone of the 2,439 Ipswich constituents who voted for me in the 2019 General Election.
Irrespective of the disappointing overall national election result, the Ipswich Liberal Democrats can be proud that in a leave voting constituency which was a top labour /Tory marginal seat I managed to more than double our vote from the 2017 election from 2.3% to 4.9% , return our party to be on the podium positions in 3rd, beating the Brexit Party, after having been 5th and then 4th in 2015 and 2017 General Elections and leaving a legacy of some new supporters and activists to take things forward into 2020.
One of my objectives, was to leave the local party in Ipswich in a better position to which I found it (though not expecting to have two General Elections in such a short space of time) to do this.
My thanks go to my agent Trevor Powell, to County & Borough Councillors Tim & Inga Lockington and Oliver Holmes (along with all of his family) for their incredible support, generosity and hospitality to enable me to be your candidate for Ipswich in this General Election.
Finally, I must thank those members of the local party who stood by me and welcomed having a Liberal Democrat candidate flying the Liberal flag in Ipswich - and as promised I will be back in the new year for a debrief and to help set your objectives for the year ahead.
With thanks to everyone for their support & wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Best wishes
Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett
2019 Liberal Democrat Candidate for Ipswich
Response to Suffolk Chambers of Commerce 2019 General Election Campaign Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett
Before I address the specific questions the Chamber has put to me, I would like to comment on the two overlying themes in 2020 and Beyond: Business Priorities for the Next UK Government produced by the British Chambers of Commerce.
Firstly, climate change is undoubtedly the greatest challenge facing the next Government with the journal Nature announcing in a paper 27 November 2019 that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tipping point has been reached. I fully concur with the BCC that net-zero greenhouse gas emissions must be achieved by 2050. The next five years will be critical if we are to avoid irreversible damage - action must be taken.
Secondly, as a good Liberal Democrat, I agree that the devolution agenda must be reignited. The UK is one of the most centralised governments in the G20 and giving greater decision making powers and funding to the regions will lead to greater business success.
I also believe Brexit is the most consequential decision for businesses and the UK people since the Second World War, and the problems of leaving the EU loom over the more specific questions the Chamber has put to me.
What do you think are the three biggest issues facing Suffolk businesses in the constituency in which you are standing?
1.1. Education and Skills.
Central Ipswich has one of the lowest levels of attainment in education and skills in the UK (in 2017, the Centre for Cities ranked Ipswich as 61st out of the largest 63 cities and towns in the UK for the percentage of residents with an NVQ4 equivalent or above). In addition to problems this directly presents to businesses and employers in attracting highly skilled workers, it also has significant impacts elsewhere in the local economy reducing Gross Value Added through lack of productivity and creating a vicious circle where many talented and skilled young people born in Ipswich seek employment elsewhere in the UK. Impacts can also be both under-reported and unexpected. For example, the Centre for Cities confirms a significant correlation between good education levels and economically healthy high streets.
1.2. Connectivity.
A successful local economy relies on fast and efficient communication links, which are both physical in relation to transport and digital in IT terms.
Ipswich suffers from a high level of congestion for road transport within the town centre. Suffolk Highways traffic surveys and modelling show the vast majority of this congestion arises from commuting into the town from outside districts (55%) together with short journeys by car into work.
Ipswich and its immediate hinterland also suffer from congestion on strategic routes. The A14 south and east of Ipswich will be at or over capacity by the end of the next plan period in 2036 and improvements to the A12 to the south have been long promised but have yet to appear.
Passenger rail links east-west of Ipswich are very poor and main line services to London have not consistently achieved 60 minutes. Fares are some of the highest per mile in the whole of the UK (Greater Anglia pay the second highest franchise fee). Freight services are constricted by problems at Ely, and high capacity on the main line into London.
Digitally, superfast broadband is essential if Ipswich is to maintain its position as a major technology hub (a top ten centre in Tech Nation tables) and mobile networks lack reliability and infrastructure upgrading.
Consequently, although Ipswich may have better connectivity than most of Suffolk, it is still poor on a national comparison.
1.3.Town Centre
Ipswich has suffered from under-investment in its public realm for decades largely as a result of indifference from Suffolk county councillors towards the county town and a scarcity of central government spending. This lack of infrastructure investment makes the town less attractive to outside
Business group, Ipswich Central, organised a husting yesterday night at the Quay on the Waterfront with all five candidates attending. Predictably, Brexit was the subject of the first question to which Adrian was able to give a simple reply - Stop Brexit! A lively debate followed covering many different subjects including the state of Ipswich High Street, Orwell Bridge closures and drugs county lines. Thanks Adrian for giving your time. There will be a number of further hustings around Ipswich over the next two weeks which members of the public can attend.
Our parliamentary candidate Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett gave a speech at our AGM last night emphasising that he has three main aims.
1. For the UK to remain in the European Union
2. Take measures to tackle climate change and improve the environment
3. Improve mental health services in Suffolk
Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett is standing again as our candidate for MP and is the clear choice for "remain" as the campaigner to #StopBrexit
Since the 2017 election, Adrian has worked for a Charity, enei (Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion) and leads the charity's work to help global companies create a culture that welcomes everyone, whatever their background, into the workplace.
Alongside his liberal values, passion for inclusion, internationalism and refugee support, Adrian is especially committed to championing mental health, the environment and making sure that every child has the education and support they need to fulfil their potential.
FIVE KEY PRIORITIES FOR IPSWICH
RECRUIT and support more teachers
PROVIDE free childcare from 9 months
FIX local mental health services
TACKLE CLIMATE EMERGENCY and improve the air we breathe
CELEBRATE our Town's diversity and develop our sense of community
The Liberal Democrats candidate in the Ipswich constituency will once again be Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett. He will be standing on a clear platform to stop Brexit. He is pictured here with the Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson.
