A delegation of Suffolk businesses took full advantage of a high-powered Parliamentary event this week to explain the region's strengths and investment needs in front of an impressive range of leading Labour Party shadow ministers and MPs. 

Organised by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich South, business representatives from companies of all sizes and across a number of key sectors heard speeches from Rt Hon. Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Darren Jones, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords and Seema Malhotra, Shadow Minister for Skills. 

Baroness Smith (Picture: Suffolk Chamber)

The focus of the gathering was Labour's Green Prosperity Plan, a central pillar of the Party's missions to make the UK a clean energy superpower, as well as securing the highest sustained growth in the G7. The event was also attended by other Shadow Ministers including Kerry McCarthy, Tulip Siddiq and Daniel Zeichner, as well as a number of Labour parliamentary candidates. 

The event provided an ideal opportunity to highlight the contribution that Suffolk and Norfolk businesses are already making and will continue to make, with the right support, to help meet the country's net zero targets, and contribute to sustainable national prosperity.  This includes the districts, such as Babergh.

John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber, said: "What was especially impressive, aside from so many high-profiled Labour Party politicians taking the time from their busy schedules to meet our business leaders, was the consistency of their messages: our region has a key role to play in any future Labour Government and smaller businesses in particular are seen as being of the utmost importance." 

The delegation used this invaluable opportunity to highlight the county's need for appropriate and fairer investment in green infrastructure, including improved east:west rail links, such as Haughley Junction and the need for early and sustained boosts to 5G infrastructure. 

Labour's Ed Miliband (Picture: Suffolk Chamber)

Paul Simon, Head of Public Affairs at Suffolk Chamber: "This was a golden opportunity to speak up for our region and we're grateful to our businesses for doing just that!"

Clive Lewis MP added:  "There are many reasons to be optimistic about the potential of a Labour Government, and what that means for a locally-led green transition and the prosperity of businesses and workers in my constituency and the eastern region. Working together, businesses and the public realm in the eastern region have the potential to be at the forefront of tackling the challenges and opportunities of climate breakdown and building a sustainable economy."

Jack Abbott, Labour and Co-operative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Ipswich, added: "Our region has so much potential, but we need far better support from Government so we can really take advantage of the opportunities on offer. I was really pleased to be able to showcase our incredible local businesses to senior Labour figures."

Suffolk Chamber and Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have pledged to follow up the contacts made at this reception to continue building the case for the region's lobbying asks, alongside working with current MPs and serving ministers to secure its much-needed green investment.