Opinion

Debenhams has been empty for a number of years

How taking over 'eyesore' Debenhams could help revive Ipswich's high street

Bid director Amy Vaughan

Bid director Amy Vaughan

UK City of Culture 2029

'Nothing has ever felt quite as extraordinary as Ipswich's bid for City of Culture'

Flooding in Wherstead Road at the start of June

Flooding in Wherstead Road at the start of June

Local government

OPINION - Reform need to focus or Ipswich people will suffer

ITFC promotion celebration event at Christchurch Park.

ITFC promotion celebration event at Christchurch Park.

Local government

Opinion: Ipswich is on the up

Why we must call time on legal bullies and their SLAPPs

A safer Ipswich is important to all says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

A safer Ipswich is important to all says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

OPINION: People want to feel safe in Ipswich and police are working to do just that

Victoria-Jayne using the Priority Assistance service in Tesco with Raine aiding Victoria with her weekly shop.

Victoria-Jayne using the Priority Assistance service in Tesco with Raine aiding Victoria with her weekly shop.

How supermarkets and shops are improving in catering for disabled people

The store on Norwich Road after it received funding.

The store on Norwich Road after it received funding.

OPINION: Improving and transforming our businesses will make for thriving town

Jack Abbott reflected on three recent religious events including Ramadan and the upcoming Eid.

Jack Abbott reflected on three recent religious events including Ramadan and the upcoming Eid.

OPINION: A rare trio of traditions make an exceptional time to reflect and celebrate

Bridge Street roundabouts

Bridge Street roundabouts

What are Ipswich's worst roundabouts for drivers?

I spent a week using the Ipswich bus system and this is what I thought

I spent a week using the Ipswich bus system and this is what I thought

My week relying on Ipswich Buses to get me around the town - here's how it went

Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council.

Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council.

Ipswich Borough Council

OPINION: The plan that will help us save but also invest significantly in our town

Is St Matthew's Street roundabout really the most dangerous roundabout in Ipswich?

Is St Matthew's Street roundabout really the most dangerous roundabout in Ipswich?

My trip to Ipswich's most dangerous roundabout - does it live up to its title?

Neil MacDonald says one of Ipswich Borough Councils (IBC) priorities is promoting community well-being

Neil MacDonald says one of Ipswich Borough Councils (IBC) priorities is promoting community well-being

Local government

OPINION: How we're helping tackle obesity and promote wellbeing

Jack Abbott promises to help Ipswich families

Jack Abbott promises to help Ipswich families

Local government

OPINION: I promise to keep working for Ipswich families

John Field, Stuart Grimwade, James Winterbotham, Mayor Stefan Long and Cllr Neil MacDonald with one of the new binoculars.

John Field, Stuart Grimwade, James Winterbotham, Mayor Stefan Long and Cllr Neil MacDonald with one of the new binoculars.

Local government

OPINION: New attraction in town brings the past to life

Neil MacDonald is in support of three councils

Neil MacDonald is in support of three councils

Local government

OPINION: Suffolk to the power of three will keep the local in local government

There was alot to be proud of in 2025 says Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald.

There was alot to be proud of in 2025 says Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald.

Local government

OPINION: There's more ambition to come in 2026 after packed year

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott pictured with Alfie, the winner of his Christmas card competition.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott pictured with Alfie, the winner of his Christmas card competition.

Local government

OPINION: Support local businesses and have a very Merry Christmas

Neil MacDonald at the reopening of the theatre

Neil MacDonald at the reopening of the theatre

Local government

OPINION: The Regent Theatre is surely one of the jewels in our cultural crown

Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves removes high end cars from Motability Scheme in a move which makes people with disabilities feel like they are unworthy.

Budget a 'slap in the face' to disabled people told they can't have luxury

When my body says ‘hey I’m reaching my limit now’, my brain overrules and that is when it all comes crashing down

When my body says ‘hey I’m reaching my limit now’, my brain overrules and that is when it all comes crashing down

What is Disability Burnout? How you can cope with it

The five council leaders behind the Power of three campaign (John Ward, Cliff Waterman, Caroline Topping, Neil MacDonald and Andy Mellen)

The five council leaders behind the Power of three campaign (John Ward, Cliff Waterman, Caroline Topping, Neil MacDonald and Andy Mellen)

OPINION: The power of three councils is where the future should be

There are too many phone and vape shops in Ipswich, Tom Cann says

There are too many phone and vape shops in Ipswich, Tom Cann says

OPINION: Enough is enough! Stop the plague of phone and vape shops in town centre

Honouring the heroes who kept us safe

Honouring the heroes who kept us safe

Local government

OPINION: We must deliver homes for armed forces and their families

Neil MacDonald (right) with IBC Armed Forces Champion Alasdair Ross at the Ipswich Cenotaph

Neil MacDonald (right) with IBC Armed Forces Champion Alasdair Ross at the Ipswich Cenotaph

Local government

OPINION: We are proud of our Armed Forces support

Jack Abbott has set out his hopes Ipswich can make a bid for the 2029 City of Culture.

Jack Abbott has set out his hopes Ipswich can make a bid for the 2029 City of Culture.

OPINION: Why I'm all fired up to launch Ipswich's City of Culture bid

Crowds gathered for the launch of the portal on the Cornhill.

Crowds gathered for the launch of the portal on the Cornhill.

OPINION: The portal has landed and makes the world seem a small place

Neil MacDonald (right) meeting with Sir Keir Starmer at the conference

Neil MacDonald (right) meeting with Sir Keir Starmer at the conference

Local government

OPINION: The unique story of Ipswich deserves to be told to a wider audience

Jack Abbott speaking at the Labour conference.

Jack Abbott speaking at the Labour conference.

OPINION: Jack Abbott on the power of renewables

Local government

OPINION: A once-in-a-generation opportunity for town

Neil MacDonald says the notion of One Suffolk for local government reform is a fairytale.

Neil MacDonald says the notion of One Suffolk for local government reform is a fairytale.

Local government

OPINION: The One Suffolk story is no vision and no use to the people of Suffolk

Martin Simmonds, of Suffolk Refugee Support, says how we continue to respond to refugees and asylum seekers will not only shape their lives, but also define the kind of society we want to be.

Martin Simmonds, of Suffolk Refugee Support, says how we continue to respond to refugees and asylum seekers will not only shape their lives, but also define the kind of society we want to be.

Local government

OPINION: Finding common ground in the midst of heated asylum debate

The upcoming changes in local government are a once-in-a-generation opportunity says the Ipswich MP.

The upcoming changes in local government are a once-in-a-generation opportunity says the Ipswich MP.

Local government

OPINION: Devolution offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Ipswich and Suffolk

Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald on the new Clear, Hold, Build initiative in town.

Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald on the new Clear, Hold, Build initiative in town.

OPINION: Brothels, drugs and weapons discovered in new crime initiative

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott hosted a summer school for young people.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott hosted a summer school for young people.

OPINION: I hope summer school can be transformative for youngsters like it was for me

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott met with families about their experience within Suffolk's SEND system.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott met with families about their experience within Suffolk's SEND system.

OPINION: Progress to fix SEND system is slow so we must keep fighting

We can build on the legacy to ensure more children are not in poverty says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

We can build on the legacy to ensure more children are not in poverty says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

Local government

OPINION: By 2028 we make life changing difference to children

The panel was held at Dance East.

The panel was held at Dance East.

Local government

OPINION: Our youth are making a difference to make a brighter future for all

Ed Sheeran's homecoming gigs were full of happiness, pride and community says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

Ed Sheeran's homecoming gigs were full of happiness, pride and community says Ipswich MP Jack Abbott.

OPINION: Ed's gigs are just the pinnacle of town's thriving art and culture scene

From L to R: George Lankester, borough council leader Neil MacDonald, Ipswich mayor Stefan Long, veterans minister Alistair Carns, and Alasdair Ross at the breakfast last week.

From L to R: George Lankester, borough council leader Neil MacDonald, Ipswich mayor Stefan Long, veterans minister Alistair Carns, and Alasdair Ross at the breakfast last week.

Ipswich Borough Council

OPINION: Brilliant breakfast morning shows town's commitment to forces veterans

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott discusses the ongoing housing crisis in his column.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott discusses the ongoing housing crisis in his column.

OPINION: Housing is our deepest and most severe crisis

Neil MacDonald (right) reflects on what is being done to change the perception of crime in the town centre.

Neil MacDonald (right) reflects on what is being done to change the perception of crime in the town centre.

OPINION: We recognise fear about crime in town centre - this is how we're tackling it

The Ipswich MP with education secretary Bridget Phillipson during her visit to Ipswich.

The Ipswich MP with education secretary Bridget Phillipson during her visit to Ipswich.

OPINION: More free school meals is step to tackle scourge of child poverty

Getting into sports can be hard, but finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don’t know where to start.

Getting into sports can be hard, but finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don’t know where to start.

'I want to be involved in a disability sport, but I just don’t know how?'

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has praised many of the recent projects in the town,

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has praised many of the recent projects in the town,

OPINION: Ipswich means business and so do I

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, talking to youngsters

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, talking to youngsters

Local government

Opinion: Instead of investing in local talent companies looked abroad

The VE Day Service at the Christchurch Park War Memorial.

The VE Day Service at the Christchurch Park War Memorial.

OPINION: Honouring a courageous generation - and we must continue to have their backs

Mayor Elango Elavalakan with IBC leader Neil MacDonald infront of HMS Trumpeter.

Mayor Elango Elavalakan with IBC leader Neil MacDonald infront of HMS Trumpeter.

OPINION: There are two towns and a bridge that would benefit from a northern bypass

Grimwades, left, is being brought back into use - but the Cornhill won't really thrive until a new tenant is found for the former Debenhams store.

Grimwades, left, is being brought back into use - but the Cornhill won't really thrive until a new tenant is found for the former Debenhams store.

Opinion: Great news for Ipswich Cornhill - but more needs to happen there

The St Georges Day Parade led by Boys Brigade Band

The St Georges Day Parade led by Boys Brigade Band

OPINION: Celebrating what represents modern England this St George's Day

Mayor Elango Elavalakan and Neil MacDonald at the handover of 78 flats at Bibb Way.

Mayor Elango Elavalakan and Neil MacDonald at the handover of 78 flats at Bibb Way.

OPINION: 300 new homes pave the way to building brilliant communities in Ipswich

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

OPINION: Time to fix the NHS front door and stop the 8am scramble

Jack Abbott says there is a mission to get Britain building again.

Jack Abbott says there is a mission to get Britain building again.

Local government

OPINION: We must get building again so owning homes is not just a dream