Monthly Update

Another busy month. There has been a strong education focus for me over the past four weeks with five visits to secondary schools in Ipswich. At each school I met with the head teacher to discuss the challenges facing their school and what their key concerns are. The schools I visited are: Ipswich Academy, Westbourne Academy, Copleston High school, Northgate High school and Ipswich School. I’ve almost completed visiting our secondary schools at which point I will start visiting some of the Ipswich primary schools.

At Northgate High School I had the opportunity to address a group of sixth form politics students. It’s about a decade since I took my own Politics A-level. The students in the class will all be first time voters at the time of the next General election and It’s clear that from what I saw last Friday they will all be voting and could well be engaged in politics for many years to come. It was a pleasure to meet them all.

I’ve learnt a lot from my visits and have published on my website a blog with a few reflections:

In addition to my schools visits Ipswich Conservatives have also had some high profile visitors. Both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party have visited Ipswich. Both of them placed great importance on winning back Ipswich at the next General election. It was pleasing to know the importance they place on the work we’re doing locally. Chairman of the Conservative Party Brandon Lewis visited the Ipswich and Suffolk Business Club. I was able to say a few words at this event, I was keen to make clear my strong support for business big and small in the Ipswich area. Together they employs tens of thousands of people across the area. If Ipswich is to thrive they need to thrive. Deputy Chairman James Cleverly was the key note speaker at the Ipswich Conservative Association annual dinner.

I’ve now been a resident of Ipswich for a month. Now I’m settled into my new flat I’ve been attending festive community events across Ipswich. On 28th November I attended the Christmas Tree Festival at the St Mary-le-Tower church and last weekend I attended the Christ fayre on Holywells Park and the Bixley open air carol service.

Myself and local Conservatives continue to go out every weekend to talk to residents about their concerns. Last Saturday we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by comedian Jim Davidson and the Conservative Party’s Vice-Chairman for Youth, Tom Pursglove MP. I posted a video of support that Jim put together last Saturday on my Facebook page. This Saturday will be the last one we’re out canvassing before Christmas but we will be out again in the New Year.

I also paid a visit last Friday to Ipswich Central Conservative Club. A thriving Conservative Club boasting around 800 members in total. I was able to meet a large number of members and discussed both local and national issues.