I've just voted to lift 450,000 children out of poverty, including more than 3,000 children in Ipswich.

That's the difference a Labour Government makes.

Let's remember the sacrifices of the wartime generation today, and celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, while remembering that for many in East Anglia who served in the Far East, that WW2 continued for three more months.

Those same people have blocked the delivery of the only credible alternative on the table.

Ipswich, Felixstowe and Suffolk as a whole, has continued to suffer as a result of short-term political expediency being put ahead of the long-term interests of our town and our county.

However, while the works are unavoidable, the problem which keeps on repeating itself is not.

This is the result of years of indecision, and the blame for this damaging situation lies squarely at the feet of those who have repeatedly advocated for a ‘do nothing’ approach.

The repairs to an ageing Orwell Bridge are necessary and unavoidable, and the proposals represent the least worst option available.

Nonetheless, they will cause huge disruption for residents and businesses in and around Ipswich, and I know how frustrated and worried people are.

We need a common-sense approach, and all responsible stakeholders must do everything in their power to shield local residents and businesses from the very worst consequences of the works, otherwise Ipswich and the surrounding area will face a summer of chaos.

This morning, I met with Cadent to ask them to review their plans, including their work on Woodbridge Road.

I have also urged National Highways to make the full details of their works to the Orwell Bridge public, effective immediately, so residents and businesses can plan ahead.

Ipswich MP demands delay to summer roadworks after Bridge repair announcement Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has demanded that Suffolk County Council delays plans to complete new cycle and footpaths in the town during Orwell Bridge…

I have written to Suffolk County Council to ensure they postpone all non-emergency works in Ipswich during the repairs to the Orwell Bridge.

This includes the planned schemes on Nacton Road, Woodbridge Road and the Hospital to Waterfront route.

Huge congratulations Ipswich Town F.C. Women!

Promoted - as Champions - to the Barclays Women's Championship for the first time in history.

Delighted to welcome Adele to Suffolk County Council from @ipswichlabour.bsky.social - together we can fight for a council that meets the needs of Ipswich people and doesn’t just treat our major town as an inconvenient appendage to the rural Tory areas.

Suffolk County Council St John's division residents, remember to vote for Adele Cook in today's SCC byelection. Polls open until 10pm.

Vote Adele Cook @ipswichlabour.bsky.social @coopparty.party.coop today for #Suffolk CC St John’s by-election #VoteLabour #Ipswich

Adele will be in your corner, working for you.

4️⃣ days to go!

On Wednesday, members of the Co-operative Group will start to vote ahead of their AGM.

By voting YES on Motion 8, we can give co-operation the political voice it deserves.

OPINION: Time to fix the NHS front door and stop the 8am scramble In his opinion column this week, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott says its time to fix the front door of the NHS.

The difference a Labour government makes.

By recruiting 1,500 GPs - including nearly 30 for our local area - we're fixing the front door to our NHS and ending the 8am scramble.

There is more work ahead, but our NHS is on the road to recovery.

My East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇

Holi in Alexandra Park today has been favoured by glorious sunshine.

More conversations with St John's residents on a sunny Sunday.

Another sunny morning speaking to voters in St John's division.

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣✚

We're standing Co-operative candidates in every council election in the country.

There's already over 1,500 Co-operative councillors putting their communities first under our joint banner with Labour.

GB Energy First Projects Announcement GB Energy will be pivotal in the delivery of the Local Power Plan (LPP) – a key part of Labour’s climate mission. The LPP represents the largest Government commitment to community energy expansion in…

Enjoying the sunshine? 🌞

Community solar, backed by GB Energy and the Local Power Plan, puts energy power directly in YOUR community's hands.

Read more from our Policy Officer Daniel Monaghan.

Thanks to this morning's campaigners, and of course, to everyone who talked to us when we visited them this morning.

GB Energy investing £200m in solar panels on schools and hospitals to cut bills Hundreds of schools and NHS sites will get funding for renewables in the first major investment by the publicly owned clean energy company.

🌱 Read more here: www.independent.co.uk/business/gb-...

People back net zero when it delivers real benefits.

Community energy means a real stake in local energy and money flowing back into vital services.

Today's investment news proves what we've always known: net zero succeeds when communities lead the way.

Laurence and John aren't able to join Adele Cook and the Labour & Co-operative team tomorrow, so they went out today instead.

Another great team out this week, supporting Adele Cook for St John's division. Temperature about 10 degrees lower than last Saturday. Plenty of great conversations!

🚨 UPDATE: We're standing over 300 candidates at this year's Local Elections.

In the last week we've added new candidates excited to represent co-operation at the local level.

There's still time if you're considering applying. Apply to our Candidate Development Programme today.

Labour is delivering for working people in Ipswich. A huge boost to the minimum wage, and better rights on sick pay and banning exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire. Change has begun!

Ipswich school to launch free breakfast club for children Stone Lodge Academy in Ipswich is set to launch a free breakfast club for its pupils.

I'm delighted Stone Lodge Academy has been selected as one of the first schools to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs, with 15 coming to Suffolk overall.

I recently visited the school and know it'll make a real difference, boosting parent’s work choices and children’s life chances.

Out in Rushmere St Andrew today with our wonderful East Suffolk candidate, Laurence Bradley together with reinforcements from Lowestoft Labour Party. If you missed this morning's session, there is another at 1.30pm.

‘End the dental desert’: Plans for 15,000 emergency dental appointments welcomed by MP Plans for more than 15,000 dental appointments have been welcomed by an MP.

🦷 15,500 desperately needed dental appointments for our area, delivering on the promise we made.

Combined with the important work being undertaken at the University of Suffolk Dental CIC, I hope we will soon be able to put an end to our county’s dental desert.

OPINION: Suffolk is leading the way to end 'diabolical' dental deserts In his opinion column this week, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott says the work of the University of Suffolk is leading the way after years of poor dental…

We will put an end to Suffolk's diabolical dental desert.

I am proud that Ipswich is leading the way, with the University of Suffolk Dental CIC training the next generation of dentists alongside delivering high-quality NHS dental care.

My East Anglian Daily Times / Ipswich Star column 👇