New MP Sandy Martin leaves Suffolk County Council after 20 years

Sarah Adams has been chosen to fight the division won by MP Sandy Martin in May. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Just two days after making his maiden speech in the House of Commons, new Ipswich MP Sandy Martin has stood down from Suffolk County Council.

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He made the announcement at the end of Thursday’s meeting, triggering a by-election in his Ipswich St John’s Division.

That will take place on Thursday, September 7, meaning that a new councillor should be in place to represent the division by the time the next county council full meeting is held on September 14.

Mr Martin has been Labour member for the division since 1997, and his party has selected Sarah Adams to fight the seat in the by-election.

Ms Adams represented the St Margaret’s and Westgate division between 2013 and May this year and was deputy leader of the group before losing her seat to the Conservatives – even though her vote increased. She will be defending a Labour majority of 622 at the by-election in St. Johns.