Meet the candidate: George Lankester

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. George Lankester is standing for the Labour Party in the Holywells ward, contesting one of 16 borough 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 George 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 a councillor?

I'm standing for re-election to Holywells Ward. I grew up in the area, going to Rose Hill Primary School, and Boys Brigade at Alan Road Methodist Church, and I'm now bringing up my young son with my wife here too.

I'm a Friend of Holywells Park and a Governor at Cliff Lane Primary School. This is my home and I understand the strengths of why this is a great place to live, such as the Green Flag award winning Holywells Park, but also the challenges that still remain.

I have a strong policy background, working for the charity Help for Heroes where I work to develop an understanding of what policy changes could help veterans live well after service, and therefore I have the knowledge of how to get things done and implement change. I deeply value the public services Labour led Ipswich Borough Council provides and am fighting for re-election to improve and protect them.

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

Cost of living. I am proud that Labour led Ipswich Borough Council works with the community to ease cost of living pressures on residents. We introduced a Council Tax Reduction Scheme that supports those on the lowest income, and we are building high-quality affordable council homes at a time of increasing housing demand.

Traffic. Conservative-led Suffolk County Council has no grip over Ipswich's road network. When the Orwell Bridge is closed, the whole town grinds to a halt, causing untold stress and significant economic impacts. Dangerous driving and speeding through significant parts of Holywells ward is rife. Only Labour understands this impact, and only Labour has a plan - we need a Northern Bypass for Ipswich and joined up thinking with the community to get action on speeding and dangerous driving.

Potholes. The Labour Government has provided a big increase in funding for road repairs to Suffolk County Council, but the Department for Transport still rank Suffolk as one of the worst performing councils (not that anyone here needs telling!). It risks the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

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?

Fundamentally local government reorganisation should make it easier for residents to understand the decisions made by their local authority, and encourage clear policy direction.

I strongly backed the campaign for three unitaries for Suffolk, and I am glad the Government made the right decision - ensuring councils big enough to deliver but local enough to understand the communities they represent. Local councillors should be identifying who the new authorities need to work with to improve public services and invest the savings made by the reduction in councils in the right places.

As local councillors we must also take time to learn and understand the roles of different layers of Government and the new areas of the county that we may be working with on any new authorities.

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?

I would say my most significant achievements relate to the work I have done in the charity sector bringing people with lived experience closer to policy development. I have worked for three national charities who have worked with successive Governments to improve lives, and I have ensured that the process is grounded by increasing understanding of the day to day impacts of different health conditions.

This shows that I listen, I learn and come to opinions and suggestions based on rounded evidence of what will work for people.

If elected, how will you make yourself accessible to residents in your ward/division?

I am always available to be called or emailed. I always attend residents meetings, and was involved with the initial setup of the Waterfront Residents Group. I'm always keen to facilitate the creation of more.

I try to knock on as many doors throughout the year, not just election time. It's fine if someone doesn't want to chat, but you often find people have one or two things on their mind to bring up with their local councillor! Finally - I am here, be it walking through Holywells Park or having coffee at one of our coffee shops you'll always see me about!

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Holywells — 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.

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