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Ed Sheeran surprises fans at pub in Ipswich, Essex

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Attwells Solicitors

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Ed Sheeran caused a frenzy on Friday with an impromptu performance of his new single "Old Phone" at a local pub in Ipswich...Essex County, Massachusetts.

Why it matters: The Suffolk-born singer's appearance in the small American town that shares its name with ours, caused quite the stir.

The fun kicked off when Sheeran climbed onto the back of a pickup truck in the coastal Massachusetts town.

"He just came up to me and said, 'Do you mind if I sing on your truck?'" said Ipswich resident Jack Wile, speaking to CBS. "All of a sudden he picked me out of the crowd and just asked to come sing on the truck. I feel like you've got to say yes to that!"

Ed Sheeran performing at the pop-up pub The Old Phone in the US
Ed Sheeran performing at the pop-up pub The Old Phone in the USRocio Oliver

The details: Sheeran performed his new song, "Old Phone," in front of more than 100 people who gathered in the streets.

"In the flesh! It is amazingly exciting and everyone is just in awe," said fan Deborah Olszewski.

What they're saying: Local residents were stunned by the unexpected visit.

"Definitely the biggest thing that's ever happened in this tiny little town," said Ipswich resident Jenny Kentros.

By the numbers: Sheeran later hosted a three-hour private concert at a pop-up Irish pub named The Old Phone after his new song.

"I did not think he would sing his entire new song for us," said fan Sarah Goodwin.

For context: The pub was designed to resemble a traditional English establishment.

"It's great. It's like a little English pub with greens and browns and pictures of him hanging everywhere and other pictures of horses and things you would see in an English pub," said Kathy McMahon.

The bottom line: Sheeran expressed gratitude to the town during his visit.

"Thank you so much for letting us be here," Sheeran told the crowd. "I know it's causing a little bit of a disturbance but we really, really are grateful."

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Attwells Solicitors

An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Attwells Solicitors

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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