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Ipswich MP Jack Abbott demands action from train operator that runs no services in Suffolk

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Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, has written to train operator CrossCountry, demanding improvements to its train services despite the operator not running any services in Suffolk.

The big picture: Jack Abbott joined Transport Secretary Louise Haigh in criticising train operator CrossCountry's performance.

However, the MP seems to have overlooked a crucial detail: CrossCountry doesn't operate any services in Suffolk.

CrossCountry operates routes primarily in the Midlands, North of England, South and Scotland. Its nearest service to Ipswich is Cambridge, but it only runs to the Midlands and Stansted Airport.

CrossCountry routes
CrossCountry routesCrossCountry

What Labour said: Louise Haigh MP, Transport Secretary said of CrossCountry two days ago: “This is not the standard we expect, or passengers deserve, but this is the mess we’ve inherited, where our railways are understaffed and lurching from one crisis to the next.

“We insisted CrossCountry put on more services than their original plan, but the reduced timetable is certainly not satisfactory.

“CrossCountry is persistently one of the worst performing operators, with record delays, cancellations and consistent overcrowding. That is why I have also instigated a remedial plan - to improve services in the long run.

“There can be no excuse for this sort of dire service, and it will not be tolerated under this Government.”

Jack issued his own strongly-worded response: “For far too long, CrossCountry has let down passengers, and failed to provide the level of service that Ipswich deserves.

“Reliable train services are crucial to ensuring access to work, education and leisure opportunities across the East of England.

“I have asked for regular updates on the progress of CrossCountry’s remedial plan, and immediate mitigation factors.

“I will continue to work with the operator and the Department for Transport to ensure passengers in Ipswich get a better deal.”

Questioning the strength of his statement: Ipswich.co.uk immediately reached out to Jack's team, asking for clarification on what CrossCountry services affected Ipswich residents.

We were informed that "there are a number of constituents who use their East of England route who this will affect" and that "this is why Jack has written to CrossCountry." Although they "don’t have exact numbers."

Pushing a little harder: Unconvinced by the rationale, we questioned the motivation behind such a strong response but have yet to receive further comment.

Opinion

Why it matters: With the Towns Deal and Ipswich in the Premier League, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our town.

While some will argue that the unknown number of Ipswich residents who regularly travel by train from Cambridge to the Midlands deserve representation, many others will dismiss it as either an embarrassing mistake from an MP who fought his election campaign based on his local knowledge or a blatant example of prioritising political point-scoring over genuine constituent needs.

I hope such conviction will be shown when addressing our town's many more pressing issues.

The bottom line: While train service improvements are a valid concern for Ipswich residents, Ipswich commuters might be better served if their MP focused on Greater Anglia, the operator of all the trains in our county.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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