EAST SUFFOLK COUNCIL: Waveney Valley fast becoming hotseat as Greens step up campaign efforts

The new Waveney Valley constituency is fast becoming the next general election's hotseat as the Greens step up campaign efforts.

This comes as Adrian Ramsay, the Green party's current co-leader, will be officially named later today as one of four national target candidates for the next general election.

The party will be gunning for the new Waveney Valley constituency which straddles both Norfolk and Suffolk, including Diss, Eye, Halesworth, Bungay, and Stowuplar.

Mr Ramsay, who is confident he will take the seat during the next general election, believes the region is essential to the 'Green surge'.

He said: "We have Greens as the largest party on three out of the five district councils in Suffolk and we're the main opposition on Suffolk County Council.

"East Anglia is leading the way into success at the general election with that green surge.

"I'm very clear as a native of East Anglia, that I will be the East Anglia's voice in Westminster, not Westminster its voice in East Anglia."

One of Mr Ramsay's biggest priorities is in tackling the current housing crisis, something which, he believes, would 'strengthen the local economy'.

To do that, he will push for a policy package 'designed to ensure everybody has access to a warm, secure home' — the Fairer, Greener Homes Guarantee.

Mr Ramsay continued: "The other political parties are simply not living in the real world when it comes to dealing with the housing crisis while reaching the critical net zero target.  

"Only by having more Green MPs will we have people in Parliament advocating the solutions to the country's housing crisis."

James Mallinder

But the Green Party's vision is under scrutiny by the opposition, with East Suffolk's Cllr James Mallinder, one of the candidates in the Conservative shortlist, saying the Greens only focus on 'pointing out the problem'.

He said: "The Greens are very good at highlighting the issues, but they failed time and time again to give practical solutions.

"They talk about environmental issues, but that's where that conversation stops."

Cllr Mallinder believes we 'shouldn't lose the horizon' with a balance to be struck between environmentally friendly and affordable housing.

He continued: "I believe that the conservatives are the only party that is able to offer proper solutions that, in the cold light of day, incorporate the fact things cost.

"You can't just say one thing without the other."

Mr Ramsay, however, pointed out some of these issues are a result of Conservatives lacking the 'investment into public services', leading to crises within the likes of healthcare, particularly in dentistry, and bus networks.

In an area historically controlled by the Conservatives, the recent local elections saw the number of Greens pierce through the custom, particularly in Mid Suffolk, now the only local authority fully controlled by the Greens.

Running on this trend, Mr Ramsay says many local residents are 'fed up' and have reassured him of their green-coloured vote, many of whom have been lifelong blue voters.

Cllr Mallinder disagrees, saying residents remain 'enthusiastic' and know 'the conservatives have the answers'.

With the new constituency occupying both Suffolk and Norfolk, there have also been worries members of either county will not vote beyond borders.