The Felixstowe Flyer Magazine August ’25 | Flyer Magazines
The Felixstowe Flyer Magazine August ’25 | Flyer Magazines The Flyer magazine August editions, we hear from local community groups, local schools as well as charity groups.
And other updates from local community groups, also local schools and organisations.
The Felixstowe Flyer Magazine August ’25 | Flyer Magazines
An Update from the MP for Suffolk Coastal
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP
From Your MP
Last month marked a year since the General Election, and the first year in my job as the MP for Suffolk Coastal. As somebody who grew up in Martlesham Heath, it remains the biggest privilege of my life to represent the place I love, and to be the first ever Labour MP to do so.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve done a huge amount of listening – I’ve received (and tried my best to respond to) well over 40,000 emails from constituents, held 24 surgeries in every corner of the constituency, hosted six coffee mornings, held seven community workshops, and I’ve been out knocking on doors with my team at least once a month. I’ve also met hundreds of people in schools, local organisations, and across the constituency and Parliament.
One of the things that has stayed with me this year is the strength of community spirit across Suffolk Coastal. Just a few weeks ago, I convened a public meeting at Felixstowe Town Hall to discuss the future of the Trimley Station building. More than 50 people came along – local residents, councillors, and rail users. 25 people signed up to join a group to take the project forward – a reminder of what can happen when people come together.
That commitment to listening has shaped everything, including my decision to open a constituency office here in the centre of Felixstowe, where too many people have felt overlooked for too long.
These conversations have driven my campaigns on Special Educational Needs, the NHS, rural buses and road safety outside schools. I’ve also led national policy work through the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and supported changes to ensure nature is built into new housing developments.
I recently set up and now chair the Labour Rural Research Group, made up of nearly 30 MPs who represent rural constituencies. Too often, policy is shaped through the lens of cities and fails to reflect the reality of rural life.
This challenge underpins everything: education, healthcare, transport, employment support and the rural economy. Our group is working with Government to not just champion the rural economy, but to rural proof policy and improve outcomes for places like Suffolk Coastal.
So when I look ahead to the next year, I have no doubt it will be just as busy as the last. But I’m confident that the strong foundations I’ve laid in year one will help ensure that the opportunities for Suffolk Coastal are taken forward and heard at the national level.
If you ever need support or help with any issues, please do get in touch by email on jenny.riddellcarpenter.mp@parliament.uk or by phone on 01394 330260.