With a general election right around the corner, here are the issues residents in the Lowestoft constituency care about. The constituency was created for the 1885 general election and was won over by the Liberal Party before being abolished nearly 100 years later, in 1983, to be replaced by the Waveney constituency. Following the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, Lowestoft has been re-established for the coming general election, on July 4.
Although parties across the board have already published their manifestos and outlined their vision for the country, local priorities often differ from those promises. I took to the streets of Lowestoft and Beccles to ask residents what they would like to see done by their representatives. In total, 20 residents took the time to stop and have a chat about their concerns.
Issues Lowestoft residents care about
Of these, the vast majority brought up problems with the NHS as their primary concern, with 16 mentions – if probed about what in specific they would like to see addressed, residents singled out long waiting times (10), and lacking dentistry services (6). Tight pockets also stood out as an issue for over half of residents, with 11 mentions, although in different forms. Some said they were struggling to make ends meet with their current pensions (7), others said their energy bills (2) were still putting pressure on them, and some argued taxes were too high (2).
From here on out responses varied and several concerns were brought up both local and national. These included calls for better public transport (6), concerns about the environment (6), town centre regeneration and further investment (4), and immigration (4). Some other topics cropped up sparingly during conversations — three residents called for more opportunities for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET), two brought up the need for more nursery places, one was concerned about litter, and another about anti-social behaviour.
I also took the liberty to finish the brief conversation by asking residents whether they were already set on who to vote for come July – 16 said they had already decided, while four said they were still on the fence.
Although those who spoke to me were not representative of the constituency as a whole, and candidates might have had a different experience on the doorstep, their responses gave a flavour of what’s on voters’ minds ahead of the ballots.
Candidate comments
So, what do candidates think?
Liberal Democrats:
Adam Robertson, who is standing for the Lib Dems said his top three priorities would be to make sure everyone can access an NHS dentist, houses are built to help those struggling to get onto the housing ladder, and ensure local authorities are financially sustainable.
Conservatives:
Peter Aldous will be standing as the Tory candidate here, a seat he has held since 2010.
He said the concerns residents shared with him included the need to revitalise the town centres in Lowestoft and Beccles, maximising opportunities for local people and businesses from energy projects on and off the coast, and ensuring coastal communities are properly protected against coastal erosion.
Labour Party:
The last time Labour held this seat, then as the Waveney constituency, was in 2005, under Bob Blizzard. This time around, Jess Asato will be standing as the candidate.
She said the top three priorities were the need for more dentists and NHS dental contract reforms, making sure Lowestoft and Beccles become vibrant again, and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
Green Party:
The Lowestoft candidate for the Greens is Toby Hammond, who already represents the area through his work as a councillor with the responsibility for economic development and transport.
His three priorities will be tackling the cost of living crisis, making sure NHS services are delivered, with a specific mention of dentistry, and cracking down on the sewage spills brought on by water companies.
ReformUK:
The Reform candidate for the constituency is June Mummery, who has not commented.
