Meet the candidate: Tony Gould

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. Tony Gould is standing for Reform UK in the Whitton ward and the Whitton division, 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 Tony 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 believe the composition of councils should be better balanced from a political perspective to ensure the best possible decisions are made for the town and county. I am retired and have previously had the honour of representing Whitton, which has given me valuable experience and a strong understanding of the local area. I remain committed to the community and would welcome the opportunity to represent Whitton again and continue contributing to decisions that affect local residents.

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

The cost of living is a major concern for most residents, and this is made worse by run-down infrastructure and the number of potholes across the area. Improving and maintaining local infrastructure would be an important priority to help residents and businesses alike.

Suffolk County Council's Children's Services are currently rated as 'requires improvement,' and separate SEND services have been found to have widespread failings. In addition, nearly 5% of children in Suffolk do not attend school. These three aspects of education are significant challenges that need to be addressed to improve outcomes for young people and support the future prosperity of Suffolk's population.

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?

The government is introducing restructuring changes, but this does not address the fact that Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council are both heavily indebted by hundreds of millions of pounds. Rearranging boundaries into a new organisation alone does not resolve the underlying financial challenges that councils face. At a time when finances are stretched, decisions such as introducing new wheelie bins raise questions about spending priorities and whether resources are being used in the most effective way.

A local councillor should play an active role in scrutinising spending decisions, ensuring accountability, and representing the views and concerns of residents throughout these changes.

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?

As a professional technologist, I have developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which I believe would allow me to bring a different critical perspective and balance to the decisions that need to be made. My professional background has required careful evaluation of information and practical thinking, which are qualities I would apply when considering council matters.

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?

As before, I am always happy to be contacted via my council email, and I believe it is important for residents to feel able to raise issues or concerns easily. If elected, I would continue to make myself accessible to residents, respond promptly to correspondence, and ensure that local people feel their voices are heard and represented.

Want to hear from the other candidates standing in Whitton ward and Whitton division — 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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