Lab took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+62
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Labour PartyJenny Riddell-Carpenter is the Labour MP for Suffolk Coastal, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
Vote on New Clause 2 to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, debated alongside related amendments including provisions on guidance, devolution, and regulatory consultation. The excerpts focus on New Clause 20, which would require the Secretary of State to issue guidance (consulting chief medical officers and palliative/hospice care providers) and enable Welsh Ministers to issue guidance on devolved health matters.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Suffolk Coastal has been mixed for Jenny across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Planning and funding arrangements exacerbate coastal erosion impact, inquiry finds | New Civil Engineer” — New Civil Engineer
“Headteacher warns schools 'really struggling' to support pupils with complex needs” — East Anglian Daily Times
A marginal seat — won by just 1,070 votes (2.2%) in 2024. Covers Felixstowe, Woodbridge and Leiston. Population 88,207, notably older (median age 51 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 49% below the national average.
Man in his 50s arrested on suspicion of trying to meet child
Ipswich Star · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£27,800
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£38,400
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
4,210
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
46
35 primary, 3 secondary, 8 other
Total Income Tax▼
£338m
from 53,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,720
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£6,370
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
40.6
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
59.2%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 city, 3 towns, 14 villages, rural areas — 93,925 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
22 councillors across 13 wards · Last elections: May 2023
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldeburgh Leiston | Green Party of England and Wales | Katie Graham | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Sarah Caroline Whitelock | May 2023 | |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Tom Daly | May 2023 | |
| Deben | Conservative and Unionist Party | James Phillip Mallinder | May 2023 |
| Eastern Felixstowe | Liberal Democrats | Jan Candy | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Mark Jepson | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Seamus Bennett | May 2023 | |
| Kelsale Yoxford | Liberal Democrats | Julia Ewart | May 2023 |
| Martlesham Purdis Farm | Liberal Democrats | Edward Duncan Thompson | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Mark Anthony Clive Packard | May 2023 | |
| Melton | Green Party of England and Wales | Rachel Smith-Lyte | May 2023 |
| Orwell Villages | Liberal Democrats | Lee Reeves | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Mike Ninnmey | May 2023 | |
| Rendlesham Orford | Green Party of England and Wales | Tim Wilson | May 2023 |
| Saxmundham | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | John Fisher | May 2023 |
| Southwold | Liberal Democrats | David Beavan | May 2023 |
| Western Felixstowe | Labour Party | Amanda Ann Folley | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Mike Deacon | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Rosie Smithson | May 2023 | |
| Woodbridge | Liberal Democrats | Kay Yule | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Stephen Molyneux | May 2023 | |
| Wrentham Wangford Westleton | Liberal Democrats | Paul Richard Ashton | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 15,672 | 31.7% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 14,602 | 29.5% |
| Ref | 7,850 | 15.9% | |
| LD | 6,947 | 14.1% | |
| Green | 4,380 | 8.9% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 32,958 | 56.5% |
| Lab | 12,425 | 21.3% | |
| LD | 8,719 | 14.9% | |
| Green | 2,713 | 4.7% | |
| Ind | 1,493 | 2.6% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 33,713 | 58.0% |
| Lab | 17,701 | 30.5% | |
| LD | 4,048 | 7.0% | |
| Green | 1,802 | 3.1% | |
| Ind | 810 | 1.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Con | 28,855 | 51.9% |
| Lab | 10,013 | 18.0% | |
| Ind | 8,655 | 15.6% | |
| LD | 4,777 | 8.6% | |
| Green | 3,294 | 5.9% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con | 25,475 | 46.4% | |
Won 2024 GEWon 2019 GE | LD | 16,347 | 29.8% |
| Lab | 8,812 | 16.1% | |
| Ind | 3,156 | 5.8% | |
| Green | 1,103 | 2.0% |
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
12 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A man in his 50s was arrested in Woodbridge, Suffolk on suspicion of attempting to meet a child under 15, along with assault and criminal damage charges. The arrest followed public reports to police at Ferry Quay and the suspect remains in custody at Martlesham police station.
Felixstowe Town Council will meet with directors of the dissolved Felixstowe Business Improvement District (BID) to discuss the future of key assets including the Love Felixstowe festival and Visit Felixstowe brand. The BID was scrapped after 79 of 116 traders voted against its continuation due to concerns about unfair distribution of benefits and the compulsory levy costs.
Felixstowe will see its CCTV camera network nearly triple, with eight new cameras installed at priority locations including the seafront, train station, and library, plus upgrades to 15 existing units. The project, approved by East Suffolk Council and supported by local Labour councillors, aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve public safety through live monitoring.
Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter organised a conference at Alde Valley Academy in Leiston where schools minister Georgia Gould visited to discuss the Government's planned overhaul of special educational needs (SEND) support. The headteacher warned that providing for students with complex needs is an 'impossible problem' in Suffolk due to lack of support, with the MP pledging to push the Government to address rural inequalities and ensure councils deliver meaningful reform.
The Crown and Castle, an award-winning Michelin-recommended restaurant in Orford (Suffolk Coastal), is launching a new Saturday lunch service focused on relaxed, leisurely dining with refined seasonal dishes. The initiative aims to encourage visitors to make dining part of a broader day out exploring the coastal village.
Felixstowe councillor Amanda Folley has raised concerns that businesses raided by police for suspected immigration offences and illegal tobacco sales in late March were operating again within hours of the raids. She is calling for stricter landlord due diligence requirements and tougher regulations on tobacco product sales to address the issue of illegal trading and potential harm to minors.
Saxmundham Town Council has objected to signage plans for a new Domino's Pizza takeaway on Church Street, citing concerns about projecting signs and illumination levels being out of keeping with the conservation area character. The business itself was approved in November, but the council wants any signage to be more appropriate to the town's setting.
A man was assaulted at The Engineers Arms pub in Leiston on April 2 after attempting to break up an argument between two other people. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.
A hit-and-run incident on the A14 near Felixstowe resulted in a man in his 60s being struck by a car and left injured on the road. A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene, with the A14 closed for nearly 12 hours.
Felixstowe traders voted to disband the Business Improvement District (BID) after concerns it focused too much on seafront events rather than town centre support. The town council will now discuss alternatives to support the local economy, potentially taking on some BID functions or creating new initiatives to maintain town centre promotion and visitor attractions.
A man in his 60s was seriously injured in a suspected hit-and-run near Felixstowe on the A14, causing nearly a 10-hour road closure. A man in his 30s was arrested and released on bail; police are appealing for witnesses.
A new beauty salon called Velura is opening in Felixstowe in premises previously occupied by an eco-friendly refill store. The salon will specialise in Swedish body massage and face treatments, representing local business activity in the town centre.
Sizewell C nuclear power plant construction is progressing with abnormal loads transporting equipment along the A12 through Suffolk this week. The £38bn project near Leiston is expected to create 10,000 jobs and power 6 million homes, with operations targeted for the mid-to-late 2030s.
A seven-year-old girl from Ipswich discovered a woolly mammoth bone at Felixstowe beach, estimated to be between 10,000 and 500,000 years old. The family used AI to identify the find, which highlights the rich prehistoric heritage of the Suffolk coast.
A breach in the Hawkeswade Bridge weir in Ufford, near Woodbridge, has caused water to flow toward the East Suffolk Train Line and threatens farmland, footpaths, and aquatic habitats along the River Deben. Parish leaders and landowner groups are calling for coordinated action from councils and the Environment Agency to repair the damaged structure and prevent further ecological and infrastructure damage.
L'Artisan bakers in Felixstowe has closed after just 18 months, with the owner Ali Ozcinar returning to Cyprus due to travel difficulties and rising operational costs. The bakery, which opened in October 2024, was run by a family business that had previously operated in Cyprus for decades.
Abnormal loads for Sizewell C nuclear power station construction will be transported along the A12 and B1122 through Suffolk this week, with temporary buildings, cranes, and heavy equipment scheduled for Tuesday through Friday. The transport will pass through areas including Yoxford and Leiston, heading to the construction site near the existing Sizewell B plant.
Network Rail will undertake nine days of engineering work on the East Suffolk Line in May 2026 to modernise track, signalling, and level crossings between Ipswich and Lowestoft. The upgrades support both passenger safety and Sizewell C's transport strategy to move construction materials by rail.
The Shannon Inn, a family-run pub in Bucklesham near Ipswich, will close in August after eight years of operation. The closure affects the local community and represents the loss of another rural hospitality venue, though the owners' sister pub in Woodbridge will remain open.
A Suffolk Beatles enthusiast, Dean Gould from Felixstowe, is launching an annual 'Sgt Pepper Day' to celebrate the Beatles, with the first event involving a photographic recreation of the iconic 1967 album cover. The event is being held locally at Trinity Methodist Church in Felixstowe with community participation.
CVS Group, a major UK veterinary services provider operating over 500 practices, has leased a 620 square metre building (Ventura House) in Melton, near Woodbridge, on a 15-year lease following year-long negotiations. The deal represents significant commercial investment in the Suffolk area and demonstrates continued demand for high-quality commercial property in the region.
Harwich celebrated the centenary of a 1926 April Fool's Day hoax where councillor John Elliott convinced over 300 motorists that a tunnel had been built between Harwich and Felixstowe. The event featured classic cars from the 1920s-1930s and highlighted both the historical prank and ongoing transport improvement ambitions for the area.
The Beach Street Beer Festival is returning to Felixstowe on May 22-23, offering free entry, craft beers, food vendors, and live music. The event is expected to draw large crowds and boost the local community and tourism.
A 94-year-old former RAF and offshore pilot from Felixstowe, Gordon Lucas, has shared his story of piloting a helicopter from Britain to Australia in 1971, a 13,000-mile journey completed in 99 hours that required hand-flying through dangerous conditions and emergency situations across multiple continents.
A lifestyle article providing recommendations for spending a relaxing Sunday in Rendlesham, Suffolk, highlighting local attractions including Rendlesham Forest, the UFO Trail, nearby pubs, and picnic spots. The article promotes local tourism and leisure activities in the area.
A new Lego store called Brick Studio has opened in Felixstowe within an existing sweetshop, offering over 1,000 Lego sets including rare and retired collections. The owner reports strong early sales and customer loyalty, with plans for a major showcase event at a local football club.
Greater Anglia has launched a new 'Grazing Walks' leaflet promoting sustainable tourism in the Harwich Haven area, including Harwich, Felixstowe and Shotley, encouraging visitors to use trains and ferries instead of cars. The project aims to boost local businesses and reduce car reliance while supporting eco-friendly tourism in the Suffolk Coastal region.
A House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee inquiry warns that coastal erosion threatens thousands of UK homes and infrastructure, exacerbated by misaligned planning and funding systems. The report calls for major reforms, including embedding long-term Shoreline Management Plans into local planning decisions and reforming flood/coastal funding allocations to better capture true community value.
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