Be under no illusion. Suffolk Day and the Suffolk Flag is manufactured, modern and political.
Unlike the ancient (AD 1200) seal of the Borough of Ipswich, there is no defined Suffolk Flag. In an attempt to build “community spirit” it was launched with the new “County Days” in 2017.
In stark contrast the former County Borough of Ipswich has a right to self-government stretching back to a charter from King John in AD 1200. Under the catastrophic Local Government Act 1972, the County Borough of Ipswich was forced into a tripartite county council with East Suffolk and West Suffolk authorities. Ipswich was Suffolkated.
Ipswich and Ipswich citizens went from total authority, control and sovereignty; to the last 46 years of having almost no voice on the all-powerful county council cabinet. Suffolk County Council is like an occupying force: based here, controlling here, but rarely by anyone elected here.
Meanwhile, Ipswich's success and growth (outside of obsolete boundaries set in 1835) is ruthlessly exploited by neighbouring rural Suffolk districts. Dumping their unwanted housing on to Ipswich's back door (to avoid impact to their own small towns and villages), yet with no direct responsibility to stakeholders who share this regional conurbation. Suffolk’s rural districts cream off local tax revenues from Ipswich’s periphery that should be reinvested into the urban centre that sustains it.
The result is that Ipswich is a poor relation in Suffolk, yet underpins it all. Ipswich’s aim should be to restore its authority, pride and sense of place, and on terms that recognize its actual 21st century locality and future needs. These needs will never be understood or met while under rural Suffolk dominance. #alwaysletdownthecountytown
A classic case of the cart driving the horse, Ipswich has absolutely no reason to celebrate Suffolk.
