Suffolk MPs clash over Ipswich's failed City of Culture bid

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 28 Oct, 11:33 · Archive

Ipswich lost its bid to become UK City of Culture, with local MPs trading accusations on social media.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Patrick Spencer have clashed on X over Ipswich's unsuccessful UK City of Culture bid, which the town lost to Wrexham. The row began when Mr Spencer, a Conservative, criticised the Labour Government's record ahead of the Budget and questioned why Ipswich had not progressed in the competition despite Mr Abbott holding a Government role as the Secretary of State's Parliamentary Secretary.

Mr Spencer said in an opinion piece: 'The final nail in the coffin came with the disappointing news that Ipswich has been passed over as the City of Culture. Despite the local MP being the Secretary of State's Parliamentary Secretary, Ipswich still lost out to – Wrexham. Words desert me.' Mr Abbott responded by calling the statement 'bizarre, ill-informed and negative'. He accused Mr Spencer of offering little support for the bid despite representing three wards in the town, saying there was 'no message of pride or thanks to the people who worked so hard, just a weak political attack'.

Mr Spencer replied that he had publicly backed the bid but said Mr Abbott should have used his Government influence to support it. Mr Abbott has since stated that the bid 'was special because of the way it brought people together' and expressed disappointment at what he called Mr Spencer's 'bizarre political attack' and 'lack of support' for the campaign.

Suffolk MPs clash over Ipswich's failed City of Culture bid — Image: Ipswich Star

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How it is being reported

'Petty Twitter spat': MPs' Ipswich City of Culture row escalatesJack Abbott and Patrick Spencer have traded fresh blows as their war of words over Ipswich's unsuccessful City of Culture bid escalates.Ipswich Star · 28 Oct, 10:45
Suffolk MPs in fiery X spat over Ipswich City of Culture bidTwo Suffolk MPs have traded insults on X in a heated political row over Ipswich’s unsuccessful UK City of Culture bid.East Anglian Daily Times · 27 Oct, 14:30
Suffolk MPs in fiery X spat over Ipswich City of Culture bidTwo Suffolk MPs have traded insults on X in a heated political row over Ipswich’s unsuccessful UK City of Culture bid.Ipswich Star · 27 Oct, 14:30

In this story: Jack Abbott · Patrick Spencer · Ipswich · Wrexham · Central Suffolk and North Ipswich · Labour

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