Meet the candidate: Simona Lazar

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. Simona Lazar is standing for the Labour Party in the Gipping 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 Simona 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?

My name is Simona Lazar, and I am proud to stand as the Labour candidate for the Gipping Ward. I am the CEO of Union Romani Voice, a UK-registered charity that has supported thousands of people across Ipswich and beyond over the past decade.

I hold a BA in Social Work and a Master's degree in Writing Projects and Community Development, and I have completed a traineeship with the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe.

I have over 20 years of experience working in inclusion and community development across Europe. Locally, I have worked in education at a secondary school and alongside public health and social services within Suffolk County Council.

I serve as Co-Chair of an EU civil society platform and previously held a Co-Chair role within Suffolk County Council.

I live and work in this community every day. I am standing because Gipping deserves strong, visible leadership that listens and delivers real results.

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

From speaking directly with residents, three key issues consistently come up.

Roads and potholes are a major concern, alongside traffic disruption—especially when the Orwell Bridge or A14 are closed. I will push for faster repairs, better planning, and improved coordination to reduce the impact on residents.

Housing is another priority. We need more affordable homes, especially council housing, and better standards for tenants so that everyone has a safe place to live.

Residents also care about their environment. This means cleaner streets, tackling anti-social behaviour, and continued investment in parks and green spaces. I will work to ensure Gipping benefits from these improvements.

We are already seeing some local investment, and I will continue to advocate for more.

Suffolk is in the middle of significant change — what's your view?

Suffolk is going through major change, and it's important this is done transparently, with residents involved.

Reorganisation must improve services—not move decision-making further away from communities. At the same time, we must address housing pressures and transport challenges in a practical way.

A councillor's role is to be a strong local voice—making sure residents are heard and that investment reaches our area.

I will work to ensure Gipping residents are informed, involved, and properly represented.

What is your most significant achievement, and what does it tell voters about how you'd approach the role?

One of my most significant achievements is building Union Romani Voice into a trusted charity supporting thousands of people across the UK.

Through this work, I have supported vulnerable families, led community initiatives, and built strong partnerships with local authorities, NHS services, and national organisations.

Our work is also recognised nationally—we have been shortlisted for a major National Lottery Health Inequalities partnership programme, reflecting the impact and trust we have built.

This shows I am committed, practical, and focused on delivering real results.

If elected, how will you make yourself accessible to residents?

I believe in being visible and accessible all year round—not just during elections.

I will continue door-to-door engagement, attend local events, and hold regular advice sessions where residents can raise concerns.

People will be able to contact me directly by phone, email, and social media, and I will ensure clear and timely communication.

For me, representation means being present, listening, and taking action.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in the Gipping 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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