Meet the candidate: Angelina Klein

On Thursday, 7 May, Ipswich residents will head to the polls for two local elections on the same day — one for Ipswich Borough Council, the other for Suffolk County Council. Angelina Klein is standing for the Conservative Party in Holywells Ward and St Clement's Division, contesting one of 16 borough council seats and one of 12 county council seats up for election across Ipswich.

As an apolitical publication, we sent every candidate standing in the town the same five questions, and we're publishing every response in full, without editing, so that residents can hear directly from the people asking for their vote. No candidate receives more or less prominence than any other. This is what Angelina told us.

Tell us a bit about yourself — who are you, what's your connection to your ward/division, and why do you want to become/remain a councillor?

My name is Angelina Klein and I am standing as a candidate in Holywells Ward and St Clement's Division. I am currently studying English Literature and Language at the University of Suffolk. I live in Holywells and my family also live in Suffolk, so I believe I have a good understanding of some of the problems that the area is presently facing. I have a deep-rooted desire to help people and make positive changes in our community.

As a disabled person myself, I understand the difficulties that those with mobility issues face when navigating the streets and dangerous pot-holes. I want to ensure that St Clement's Division and Holywells Ward is accessible for all. I will campaign for this. It is my promise to keep the best interests of the residents in my division and ward central to my time in office, if I am elected. Ultimately, I would love to become a councillor so that I can listen to the issues and concerns that matter to residents of Holywells and St Clement's. I hope to represent and practically address these concerns at council meetings with compassion, sensitivity, and care.

What are the three biggest issues facing your ward/division right now, and what would you do about them if elected?

The three main issues I plan to tackle are: safety; accessibility; and creating more career opportunities for young people in Ipswich.

Through working with Suffolk Police and the Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner to implement plans that keep high-crime areas better monitored. I hope to campaign to have more CCTV installed to make our streets safer. I would also strive to continue to support knife-crime prevention education within schools, raising awareness to the severe impact of knife crime in society.

I hope to campaign to make Holywells more accessible for those with mobility issues and disabilities. I would campaign for more seated bus shelters, and for clearer display boards that show updated bus times. I would also campaign for the upkeep of pavements and the upkeep of filling in potholes in a more timely manner. I recently ended up in A&E after falling on a loose paving stone. For people with disabilities and the elderly, I understand how these obstacles can be a navigational nightmare. This is something I plan to change for the better.

If elected, I would hope to work with local businesses and places of higher education within the Holywells and St Clement's area to promote more career-opportunities or work experience placements for young people. I also hope to create agreements between places of education and local businesses that are accessible for students with mobility issues and which prioritise SEND students.

Suffolk is in the middle of significant change — from the local government reorganisation creating new unitary authorities to ongoing pressures on housing, transport and public services. What's your view on how these changes should be handled, and what role do you see a local councillor playing?

With regards to local government reorganisation, I believe that councillors are fundamentally important to the reorganisation at Suffolk Councils. I note that there were two proposals put forward for Suffolk, with the single Suffolk Council supported by the SCC Conservative Group. The government has opted for the more localised 3 Suffolk model. So if elected, I endeavour to positively contribute to the planning and shaping of this over the next twelve months, however my main focus presently is addressing the issues and concerns that residents of Holywells and St Clement's raise with me.

What do you consider your most significant personal, professional or community achievement — and what does it tell voters about how you'd approach the role?

In answer to the question, what is my most significant achievement, I would say that my most significant achievement politically has been having the opportunity to talk to Mel Stride in Westminster to put forward my views on the scrutiny that people on disability benefits face. Last May, the Government suggested proposals that would have restricted those under the age of 22 from receiving health-related benefits, putting 66,000 claimants at risk, causing major anxiety and distress to young people who may have been affected by this proposal.

I would hope that this achievement demonstrates how passionate I am about advocating for causes where change and recognition is needed. I intend to tackle the real issues that people face on a day-to-day basis and be a voice for the residents of Holywells and St Clement's.

If elected, how will you make yourself accessible to residents in your ward/division? How can people contact you now, and how do you plan to keep in touch if you win?

Contact Details: candidate@ipswichconservatives.com Please see my Facebook Page where I will be updating campaign activity: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GvCQHNcDJ/

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Holywells Ward and St Clement's Division — and across the rest of Ipswich? We're publishing every response we receive in full.

Polling stations open at 07:00 and close at 22:00 on Thursday, 7 May, with results expected on Friday, 8 May. To vote in person you will need a valid form of photo ID — if you don't have one, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate at gov.uk before 17:00 on Tuesday, 28 April. The last day to register to vote is Monday, 20 April. For a full breakdown of every candidate standing across Ipswich and all the key deadlines, read our complete guide to the May elections.

Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.

This article cost us ~£27 to produce

It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.