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Town centre businesses unite as Christmas tree takes pride of place on Cornhill

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Attwells Solicitors

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Ipswich's 40ft Christmas tree was installed on the Cornhill this morning, marking an early start to the town's festive season.

The big picture: The tree's arrival represents a continued commitment from town centre businesses to maintain festive traditions in Ipswich, with the installation marking the beginning of the holiday season.

Why it matters: This collaborative effort launches the Christmas period during a time of renewed energy in the town centre:

  • Recent new shop openings

  • A major event planned for 14 December

  • The initiative positions Ipswich as a destination for festive activities in Suffolk

A 40ft Christmas tree being erected on the Cornhill in Ipswich
The 40ft Christmas tree was erected this morningOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Key details:

  • The tree was installed early this morning to minimise disruption

  • No road closures were required

  • Will remain in place until January 2025

  • Forms part of wider Christmas decorations across town

What they're saying: “For the last decade, Ipswich Central, on behalf of our amazing business community, have ensured that the town has a real Christmas tree. We encourage residents and visitors to come to see the tree and enjoy all we have to offer whilst seeing friends and family in Suffolk's county town,” says Lee Walker, Ipswich Central CEO.

What's next: The official light switch-on event takes place on Sunday 17 November, featuring:

  • Entertainment from Jack and The Beanstalk's pantomime cast

  • Appearances by Ipswich Town star Leif Davis

  • Attendance by club CEO Mark Ashton

The bottom line: The tree installation launches a broader campaign to promote Ipswich as a destination for friends and family to enjoy cultural, leisure and retail offerings throughout the festive period.

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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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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