𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

It is usually the nuts and bolts of regional issues that decide local elections – potholes, planning rows and bin collections. But national grievances are dominating on the doorstep in Suffolk, where voters are talking less about the state of their streets and more about the state of the nation.

One such place is the seaside resort town of Felixstowe, where Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was chased away by protesters in March while launching his party’s local elections campaign in the county. Just days before Britons head to the ballot box on Thursday, Felixstowe’s high street was busy with visitors from neighbouring areas flocking to the mix of independent and national chain stores. One visitor was 80-year-old David Martin, from the nearby village of Shotley, who spoke about crime and immigration as the key issues he will consider when casting his vote.

The grandfather of 10 said: “It seems to be everywhere, a cultural change. If you go into town centres, then you notice it more than out in the country.

“We live out in the country, and we’ve even noticed it starting to occur there. It’s the kind of culture that’s imported. Too many, too quick. It’s affecting crime rates, drug rates, shoplifting, and probably affecting the cost of living as well.”

He added: “Reform seems to be the party that is addressing that issue.”

Shop owners, who did not want to be named, told Reform UK’s candidate for the Felixstowe Clifflands at Suffolk County Council that their votes were with him.

Michael Hadwen is a former political assistant at Reform’s flagship example of how they would operate locally – Kent County Council.

He said: “We’re facing a massive election and a really big choice. We had our elections cancelled last year. If it wasn’t for Nigel, this election would not be happening right now. People can really feel that.”

The fourth-generation resident added: “It’s a tough fight. It’s always a tough fight. I never take anything for granted. I’ve been in the game long enough to know that.

“Realistically, it’s between myself and the Conservatives. This is a Conservative area. You’ve had the Conservatives here forever. Even during the General Election when Labour won this parliamentary seat, the Conservatives still won this area on votes. I know I’m in an uphill battle.”

It is a slightly different picture for the Conservatives 30 minutes away in the idyllic village of East Bergholt, the birthplace of 19th-century English landscape artist John Constable.

“Constable Country” features in scenes he frequently painted, such as Flatford Mill.

The Tory candidate there, Darius Laws, insisted he had never knocked on a door where the homeowner said they would be voting for Labour.

That may have been true up until the first resident we visited opened his door to us, declaring that he would be voting for the ruling party.

The man, who did not want to be named, cited the ballot as a “national referendum”.

He added: “This, unfortunately, is about a national referendum, It’s not about local issues. It should be about local issues, but it’s not. If you look at the media, the Government.

“I voted Labour at the last election and I switch my vote … I haven’t always voted Labour but it’s unhelpful, with what’s happening in the world today, to be looking for a change in prime minister.”

Mr Laws, who had the support of several other locals, said: “I’m feeling optimistic, I have to say. There are over a dozen villages in the division I’m standing in, and national issues do come up, but also people recognising that I’m talking about the local issues. It is about potholes.

“It is about pressures on existing infrastructure and services … because there are other parties that are only focused on the national things.”

A scenic 45-minute drive away is Bury St Edmunds, not far from where the Green Party secured sole control of an English council for the first time. They won 24 seats on Mid Suffolk District Council in 2023.

Since then, Zack Polanski’s party has seen a rapid growth in membership and a rise in the opinion polls.

This is something Andy McGowan, the Liberal Democrats’ “local champion” for the Eastgate and Moreton Hall division, is keenly aware of.

Mr McGowan, who works in policy for the Carers Trust, has the Green Party on his one flank and Reform UK on his other.

He took aim at the Greens’ national policies over their lack of support for NATO and local recycling issues while accusing Nigel Farage’s party of “stoking division”.

Talking about Labour and the Tories, Mr McGowan added: “I think there are lots of people who have traditionally voted Conservative who are really disillusioned with how things have been both locally, the Conservatives have been running the council for a number of years, but also in terms of Labour.

“I think there are a number of Labour voters who I’ve spoken to who actually are really frustrated around what’s actually played out compared to what they were promised at the General Election, and so I think this year every vote is up for grabs.”