Ipswich Conservatives were the Only Voice for Ipswich at Ipswich Borough Council Meeting this week, when the Conservative Group put forward a motion, proposed by Cllr Ian Fisher and seconded by Cllr Sam Murray, called for a temporary pause on asylum dispersal in Ipswich and a review of the town’s Sanctuary status which Labour imposed on Ipswich in 2012—a measured request to reflect on the pressures facing local services. The motion was voted down by every other councillor (Labour and Liberal Democrats) (pictured) in the room, with only the Ipswich Conservatives supporting it.
Despite a lengthy and often theatrical debate where councillors invoked Enoch Powell, Hitler, Nigel Farage and the Reform Party, not a single voice outside the Ipswich Conservative group spoke up for the people of Ipswich.
Cllr Ian Fisher, proposer of the motion, said:
“This motion was about putting Ipswich first and recognising the very real strain on our housing, schools, and services. It wasn’t about blame. It was about balance. While the rest of Suffolk sends their homeless to our hotels, we are also taking the bulk of asylum placements. That’s not fair or sustainable. We are proud of Ipswich’s compassion, but compassion without planning leads to failure, for everyone.”
Cllr Sam Murray, seconder of the motion, added:
“We are elected to represent Ipswich. That means sometimes we have to have difficult, honest conversations. Instead, what we witnessed yesterday was political posturing from councillors more interested in name-dropping controversial figures than actually addressing the challenges our town faces. It’s telling that we heard Hitler’s name mentioned before we heard anything meaningful about the needs of Ipswich residents.”
During the debate, Cllr Edward Phillips mentioned that Ipswich has been a welcoming town to many people from overseas, especially during the 20th Century. but the issue of asylum numbers, and legal & illegal immigration is the longest and most persistent concern amongst Ipswich residents.
Cllr Lee Reynolds also talked about the pressure on local services and how other European countries, including with left-leaning governments, are taking these issues seriously.
The Ipswich Conservative Group were the only Councillors willing to speak up for the town, calling for fairness and sustainability in national and county-level policies affecting the area.