Meet the candidate: Saffeen Yamulki

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. Saffeen Yamulki is standing for the Labour Party in Gainsborough 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 Saffeen told us.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Saffeen Yamulki. I'm 21, and am from Nacton, just next to Gainsborough, so this area has always been part of my daily life. I went to Coppleston High School, and like a lot of young people from the area, I've grown up seeing both the strengths of our community and the challenges it faces.

I've also volunteered with Citizens Advice, working directly with people dealing with real issues; from cost of living pressures to housing and access to services. That experience has given me a clear understanding of how much local decisions matter in people's everyday lives.

I'm standing to be a councillor because I want to bring a fresh perspective to local government, making sure younger voices are represented, while focusing on practical improvements that benefit everyone in the community.

I'm part of a generation that's grown up seeing these issues first-hand. I am not here to just talk about them; I am here to try and fix them.

What are the three biggest issues facing your ward, and what would you do about them?

Firstly, housing quality and the local environment. In parts of the ward, residents have raised concerns about maintenance, standards, and the overall look and feel of where they live. There has already been real progress! For example, the new council homes delivered on Hawke Road show what can be achieved when the council invests properly. The priority now is to build on that: continuing to deliver the homes local people need while making sure existing housing is properly maintained and that we can feel proud of our area.

Secondly, traffic and congestion linked to the Orwell Bridge. When the bridge closes, roads like Nacton Road and Landseer Road quickly become overwhelmed, causing real disruption for absolutely everyone! While that's a wider issue, it has a very local impact here. That's why I support the only long-term solution, a Northern Bypass. For too long we have put up with the Conservative's negligence on the matter, not anymore, we need a Northern Bypass.

Thirdly, the condition of roads and public spaces. Residents regularly raise concerns about potholes, worn roads, and the upkeep of local areas. After years of neglect, people want to see the basics done properly again. That means continuing work to fix Ipswich's crumbling roads, while also investing in our parks and green spaces so they remain something the community can take pride in.

Alongside this, I also strongly believe Ipswich's town centre plays a big role in how people feel about the area as a whole, I vow to support continued investment in the town, ensuring we restore pride across our great town of Ipswich!

Suffolk is undergoing significant change. What is your view?

Suffolk is going through significant change, and it's important that this is handled in a way that delivers real, visible improvements for residents.

From what I've seen through Citizens Advice, people already find systems complicated enough. I welcome the changes to local government which will make services simpler, more accountable, and easier to access for local people.

Even as these wider changes happen, for the next two years Ipswich Borough Council will still have a crucial role in delivering for residents day-to-day — whether that's housing, maintaining local areas, or supporting communities. As a councillor, I'd focus on making sure Gainsborough continues to benefit from investment and isn't overlooked during bigger structural changes.

What is your most significant achievement?

Volunteering with Citizens Advice is something I'm particularly proud of. It's given me the chance to support people facing difficult situations and to understand the real challenges many residents are dealing with.

That experience has built my ability to listen, stay calm under pressure, and focus on practical solutions — all of which are essential in public service.

It's also reinforced something important: good representation starts with understanding people properly. That's the approach I'd bring to being a councillor.

How accessible would you be to residents?

If elected, I would make being accessible and visible a top priority.

I'd be available through email, telephone, social media, as well as in-person ward surgeries so residents can speak to me directly. But just as importantly, I'd be proactive — regularly out in the community, speaking to residents across Gainsborough and listening to concerns first-hand.

Whether it's housing issues, traffic disruption on roads like Nacton Road and Landseer Road, or the condition of local areas, people deserve to feel heard and see action taken.

I'm already open to hearing from residents now, and that wouldn't change — being a councillor should mean being present, responsive, and accountable all year round. That is exactly what I am prepared for.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Gainsborough Ward — 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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