Martin Edmund Pakes
Liberal Democrats candidate for Castle Hill
Born in Sweden, Martin moved around a lot in his childhood as his father was a civil engineer. After attending London University, Martin moved to Ipswich, where he has lived for some 34 years. Martin has been, successively, a Young Liberal, an SDP student and an Ipswich Borough Councillor for the Liberal Democrats in the 1990s. After a break from politics, Martin is now back after the events of recent years: "I just couldn't believe that people are swallowing Tory lies or that the media is either cheering the liars on or being cowed into silence. It's time for everyone to stand up and be counted, in every sense!" His major interest areas are the environment and transport.
Previous elections
Castle Hill (2024)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Castle Hill (2023)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Castle Hill (2022)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Whitehouse and Whitton (2021)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Castle Hill (2021)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Where Martin fits into things
About the role
The responsibility of a councillor is to represent the people within a ward by making decisions on local services and other local issues.
What councillors do
- Make decisions on local services like housing, roads, and parks
- Represent residents' concerns at council meetings
- Help resolve local issues raised by constituents
- Set council budgets and local tax levels
How to influence
- Attend local council surgeries
- Write or email about local issues
- Attend public council meetings
- Join local community groups
Council
Mid Suffolk