Meet the candidate: Jamie Allenden

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. Jamie Allenden is standing for the Green Party in Bridge, 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 Jamie told us.

Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are standing in this election.

I've lived in Suffolk most of my life, I grew up in Bury, moved to Ipswich when I was 15, and have lived in Bridge Ward since I was 19. I'm 23 now, which people may think makes me too young, but I think it's important to uplift the voices of young people, which is why I took over as Ipswich's Young Greens officer last October. I am also both neurodivergent and queer, so it matters to me to empower minority voices as well, and improve SEND and gender services.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing residents in your ward/division, and how would you address them if elected?

The biggest issue round here, as the town centre is part of the division I'm standing in, is the fact that so many businesses have been priced out by their landlords, which means that either they struggle to cope and have to close, or they make everything expensive, which means that people can't afford to go out.

That brings me onto the second point, that people's expenses are just too high! To remedy this, I am going to take on landlords to try and get working class people, and small businesses, a fairer deal, with lower council tax as well.

Lastly, the River Orwell: what is the point in refurbing the viewing point on Stoke Bridge, if the river is just full of sewage?! That's why I will push the council to clean it up!

What are your views on the proposed local government reorganisation, which could see Ipswich Borough Council merged with neighbouring authorities?

I was initially sceptical of the idea of grouping Ipswich in with rural areas, as I thought that would create a conflict of interest. However, there is no greater conflict of interest than this town being represented by the entire rest of Suffolk. Also, it gives us the opportunity to combine powers and streamline decisions, rather than the complication of who runs what, that most people don't understand.

What is one thing you have done — in politics, work, or your community — that you are particularly proud of?

I'm proud of the fact that I've created an online space on Instagram (@ipswich_yg) where young people can go and see the great work that the Green Party is doing in Ipswich, and that has amassed a following of over 600 since late November.

How can residents get in touch with you, and what can they expect if you are elected?

People can already message me on the account mentioned above. However, a win in Bridge, or a second place finish, will allow the Greens to target the area in future, and ask residents what their problems are, where they live, and that work will start to be carried out as soon as possible, and will be continued year-round.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Bridge — 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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