Suffolk has not only produced a global megastar, but we consistently punch above our weight, with world-class music, theatre and dance, and exciting events happening every weekend. A global icon performing alongside an up-and-coming artist showcases our limitless talent, creativity and potential.

For a long time, the East of England was overlooked when it came to major infrastructure and investment decisions. With Sizewell C, Universal UK, East West Rail, the Lower Thames Crossing and airport expansion, that is rapidly changing. There's more to do, but we're heading in the right direction.

Last month, I was at UKREiiF, the UK's leading investment and infrastructure conference, flying the flag for Ipswich, Suffolk and the East of England. This included championing Invest East's Investment Prospectus, a £5.5 billion package of regeneration projects across our region.

Reform scrapping their climate commitments and getting rid of net zero is more than an ideological choice. Do they not care about our environment, or about local jobs and investment? Or do they not understand that amateurish political stunts have consequences?

I'm really pleased to see the Arras Square project move forward. These upgrades will provide a real uplift to this area, with improved paving, disabled access, better lighting and CCTV, and new seating. Work starts in a few weeks' time and is expected to be finished by Christmas.

No, this wasn't a 'localised' incident as Reform-led Suffolk County Council said. I have received reports of flooding from right across Ipswich. It had a massive impact - that is why I have written to both Suffolk County Council and Anglian Water to make sure their drainage is up to scratch.

After the extensive flooding that occured in Ipswich yesterday, I have written to Suffolk County Council and Anglian Water urging them to carry out an immediate review into all drainage infrastructure, and to fix any defects as soon as possible.

I'm always proud to be part of Team Ipswich, but I especially was yesterday. On #PowerOfYouthDay, Youth and Civil Society Minister Stephanie Peacock signed The Power of Youth Charter. I am delighted our Department - the Department for Culture, Media and Sport - is the first in Government to do so.

Today is #PowerOfYouthDay – a chance to celebrate and grow youth social action. This year's theme is #CommonGround, both a simple and powerful act, choosing to stand together, with and for young people. Because when young people’s voices are truly heard, everything gets better. Join us.

I visited businesses in the Buttermarket to talk about our Government's Great British Summer Savings. Families in Ipswich will pay less for children’s meals, tickets to cinemas and theatres, and entry to attractions like soft play. Kids aged 5-15 wil travel free on local bus services too!

It was so great to see so families families enjoying the New Wolsey Theatre's Big Afternoon yesterday. There was live music, arts and crafts, games and more! A huge thank you to the New Wolsey team for putting on this free event, and all the people and organisations who helped make it happen.

Great to be at the @coopparty.party.coop Community Britain conference in the East of England. Pleasure to talk to Meg Griggs about the Co-operative Party in Government. Doubling the co-operative and mutual sector, the Local Power Plan, Community Right to Buy and tackling retail crime all featured.

Last month, I was delighted to welcome more than 40 leaders from Suffolk to Parliament and introduce them to senior members of our Government. The event demonstrated the strength and diversity of our county's economy, but also the challenges that need to be tackled to reach our potential.

In a world that feels increasingly divided, Ipswich continues to invest in young people. As the first Town of Youth Social Action, we're proud to champion youth voices. Next week on Tuesday 2th June, I’ll be standing on #CommonGround with young people across the country. #PowerOfYouthDay

☀️ A beautiful, sunny day at the Suffolk Show. It's a real celebration of our county with tens of thousands of people enjoying the best of what Suffolk has to offer. Congratulations and thank you to the Suffolk Agricultural Association for another roaring success.

I visited Suffolk Sight last year and saw the amazing support they give people with sight loss. Guide dog Lea stole the show! Their Equipment & Information Day is taking place on Tuesday 9 June 2026, 10am–2pm at The Key Café, Ipswich. Thank you Suffolk Sight 💙

BSC Multicultural Services' Global Food and Pita Festival gets bigger and better every year! There was food from all over the world and lots of activities for people to enjoy too. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to @suffolknewcollege.bsky.social for hosting.

Sizewell C is crucial for our country's long-term energy security, but we are already seeing the benefits locally. Hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships have been created, and contracts worth tens of millions of pounds have gone to local firms. It's why I fought so hard for this project.

Patriotism, yes. Nationalism, no.

Reform UK have blocked Labour's proposals to get the Ipswich Northern Bypass moving. They've put jobs and investment at risk by trying to kill off this crucial project Local residents deserve better than policy being drawn up on the back of a fag packet.

I’ve opened applications for my 2026 Summer School. A summer school was my way into politics and it changed the course of my life. I’m so delighted to give same opportunity to young people in Ipswich and Suffolk. Find out more and apply here: www.jackabbott.org/summerschool

Could you help decide how to invest £20 million in Stoke Park and Chantry? Applications to join the new Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board have opened. This is an opportunity for people who care about their local area to shape the future. I’d encourage residents to come forward and get involved.

I'm delighted to be opening applications to my 2026 Summer School. This is for young people aged 18-24. Based in Ipswich, you will learn more about politics, public service and community over two weeks in August. Find out more information and apply here: www.jackabbott.org/summerschool

It is true to say that, despite a raft of positive changes, things remain tough for many people. However, creating instability when people need us to focus on the job would be irresponsible. The Conservatives lost their ability to govern because of their infighting. We can't make the same mistake.

It's great to see the new Labour group on Suffolk County Council demonstrate their intent to get the Ipswich Northern Bypass project moving. After years of a do-nothing approach from the Conservatives, Reform must reverse their previous opposition and back this crucial infrastructure.

🌹 I have just voted Labour. I've backed hard working Labour candidates, because I want councillors who will deliver for their local communities. Polling stations are open until 10pm this evening - you can find your local polling station here: app.ipswich.gov.uk/polling-stat...

Agreed, we are beginning to see improvement in the town after years of decline. I like the trees and planters which make the town greener and more nature friendly, keep it up. 👍

Over the past two years we've seen green shoots of recovery coming through in Ipswich. £41.5m Pride in Place funding. A new community diagnostic centre. Jobs and investment through Sizewell C. Empty buildings back in use. Crime down. Footfall up. Vote Labour to continue this good work.

The Global Food and Pita Festival is back! BSC Multicultural Services' wonderful event is taking place at Suffolk New College on Sunday 17th May. The food is incredible with stalls from all over the world. It is another must-go-to date in Ipswich's diary this summer.

It seems Reform want to remove funding which supports vulnerable children, deaf and blind people, and families from Ukraine. Either they are ignorant of the important work this fund does, or they know, but want to cut it anyway. People can reject this nasty and harmful type of politics tomorrow.

It was great having Armed Forces Minister, @alcarns.bsky.social, back in Ipswich. Labour's Defence team have delivered: - the largest sustained increase in core defence funding since the Cold War - the biggest armed forces pay rise in 20+ years - £9bn to upgrade Armed Forces' family housing

We have to talk about last weekend. The @btcipswich.bsky.social All Dayer. What a way to kick off Ipswich's summer. Thousands of people supporting talented local artists. Every venue packed. The whole town alive. Now comes THIS weekend, with the whole town getting ready...#ITFC

This morning, I joined Sam and George from East of England Ambulance Service as they responded to calls from people across Ipswich. As well as gaining a greater understanding of their work, I saw how dedicated they are in supporting people in need. Thank you for having me, and for your service.

Hundreds of thousands of young people across 🇬🇧 don’t know they have a Child Trust Fund - with an average of £2,200 per account currently unclaimed. Find out if you have a Child Trust Fund using the information here - it’s easy to check👇👇 www.gov.uk/government/n...

COME ON YOU BLUES! Let's bring our town together on Saturday and get behind Ipswich Town. Ipswich will turning blue and white from the town hall to shopfronts, public venues and businesses. Louise Cobbolds's player portrait series will be on display too. #TownBehindTheTeam

Conversion therapy is dangerous, widely discredited and, frankly, barbaric. This terrible practice must end, and it will.

These are encouraging figures. Crime fell last year and Suffolk is one of the safest areas in the country. However, there's still work to do, with shoplifting and knife crime creeping up. Thank you to @suffolkpolice.bsky.social for their continued hard work and dedication.

🗑️ Our Labour Government is cracking down on waste crime: 🚗 Powers to give fly-tippers points on their licence ❌ Repeat offenders could lose their licence 🚛 Vehicles used in illegal dumping can be seized and crushed Fly-tipping blights our communities. We’re taking action to stop it for good.

A glorious, sunny day at the Mother of Parliaments as we celebrate St George's Day. England has so much to be proud of with a history steeped in science, discovery and innovation, literature, music, art, food, architecture, culture and sport. Happy St George's Day.

Our Parliamentary Football Club had a great game against Tackle Africa this week. Tackle delivers HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights information and services to young people across the continent. They're an inspiring group of people, and it was a pleasure to meet them.

Ipswich Community Media has been awarded £10,000 in Government funding through the Common Ground Award. This is an amazing organisation that is changing people's lives, using music, media, the creative arts and education to challenge inequality and empower communities.

This is really welcome news: nearly 60 much needed specialist school places are being created in Ipswich. The Bridge School, which currently educates nearly 200 children and young people in our town, has had 57 new places approved by the Government.

The £5.1 million investment to provide families in Ipswich and Suffolk with earlier support and faster access to SEND services is a hugely welcome announcement from our Government. Not just because of the level of funding - which is significant - but because of where it is focused.

Chronic illnesses like endometriosis are receiving long overdue focus in our Government’s Women’s Health Strategy. Women are waiting years for diagnosis and there are no specialist services in Suffolk. They need faster access to better treatment and care.

£𝟏.𝟐 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 I’m delighted to have worked with our Labour Government to secure vital investment for Suffolk New College.

£𝟏𝟑 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐩𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐡’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 Our Government's £13 million investment in Ipswich’s new diagnostic centre is a massive boost for our town and a clear step forward in getting our NHS back on its feet.

I'm delighted £1 million has been secured for culture in Ipswich. Our Government's 'Arts Everywhere' invests in places that bring our communities together. Our libraries and theatres are the heart of our town. This funding will ensure they're not only protected, but transformed for the future too.

Holi, the Festival of Colour, came to Ipswich this afternoon. Hundreds and hundreds of people had such a wonderful time in a sunny Alexandra Park. Thank you to the Ipswich & Suffolk Indian Association and Ipswich Borough Council for hosting such an amazing event, once again.

This is really welcome news. @eastenglandamb.bsky.social has achieved its fastest average response time for serious emergencies, reaching patients more quickly than at any other time in the past five years. A huge thank you to the hard-working ambulance team across our region.

I was delighted to secure £20 million for Stoke Park and south-west Ipswich through our Labour Government's Pride in Place programme. This is a game-changer, not just because of the amount of money involved, but because it will be local people who decides how it is invested.