Meet the candidate: Liz Harsant

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. Liz Harsant is standing for the Conservative Party in Gainsborough at both elections, contesting one of 12 county council seats and 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 Liz 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 am a widow with two grown-up daughters and six grandchildren. I am currently the County Councillor representing the Gainsborough Division, a role I have held for the past five years.

I lived in Salisbury Road for 40 years and only moved following the sad death of my husband, Russell. Prior to serving in Gainsborough, I was an Ipswich Borough Councillor for Holywells Ward for 23 years, including serving as Leader of Ipswich Borough Council for six and a half years.

I have spent much of my life in public service and remain deeply committed to Ipswich. I am standing again because I want to continue representing local residents and help ensure Ipswich has a strong voice during the transition to a unitary authority.

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

The three biggest issues I hear from residents are affordable housing, transport, and community safety.

Affordable housing remains a major concern, particularly for young people trying to stay in the area. Transport issues go beyond potholes and road maintenance, and include recent changes to the No. 1 bus route, which have left some residents with reduced access to essential services.

Road safety is also a recurring concern, particularly speeding on roads such as Landseer Road and Clapgate Lane. Alongside this, residents continue to raise concerns about support for young people, including access to job opportunities and issues around anti-social behaviour, particularly in and around the Waterfront area.

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?

This is the most significant change in local government for over 50 years, and it is essential that it is handled with experience, care and strong local knowledge.

Having served as Leader of Ipswich Borough Council for six and a half years, I understand both the complexity of local government and the importance of keeping services rooted in communities. That experience is particularly important at a time of major structural change.

As Suffolk moves towards unitary authorities, councillors must ensure that local voices are not lost in larger systems. Our role will be to represent residents strongly, hold decision-makers to account, and make sure that services remain responsive and accessible at a local level.

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?

One of the most significant periods of my public life was in 2006, following the tragic Ipswich murders. As Leader of Ipswich Borough Council at the time, I had to help manage an extremely difficult and sensitive period for the town, including national media attention.

In response, I helped establish and work with the Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund, supporting women affected by exploitation and addiction. I also became one of the first trustees of Talitha Koum, an Ipswich-based charity providing supported housing and long-term recovery support for women facing addiction and complex life challenges.

Alongside my professional background in law working as a Caseworker for two Members of Parliament and years of charitable involvement, this work reflects my commitment to supporting vulnerable people and turning difficult situations into lasting, practical support.

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?

I am already highly accessible to residents in my division. My contact details are publicly available, and I regularly engage with residents directly.

I attend local coffee mornings, community events, and meet residents wherever possible to listen to concerns in person. I also attend St Luke's Church in Cliff Lane, which provides another important connection to the local community.

If re-elected, I will continue this approach, ensuring residents can reach me easily and that I remain visible and active across the whole division.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Gainsborough — 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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