East of England · England · 74,619Boundary · 2023

South Suffolk

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Dispatch
Apr 2026

Represented by Con since 2024. Covers Sudbury, Hadleigh and Ipswich. Population 92,317, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 52% below the national average.

As Shadow Defence Secretary, James Cartlidge has been one of the most prominent Conservative voices on national security, publishing an opinion piece in March 2026 arguing Labour has "missed the boat" on defence, and pressing the government in the Commons over delays to the Defence Investment Plan -- including raising the striking disclosure that an Armed Forces minister had reportedly not been allowed to see the plan. He has also crossed party lines consistently on assisted dying, backing the Terminally Ill Adults Bill at Second Reading, Third Reading, and in key procedural votes during Report Stage, making him one of the more active Conservative supporters of the legislation through its Commons passage.

At 72% voting participation -- slightly below the Commons average -- Cartlidge is a frequent but not ubiquitous presence in divisions, voting with his party on 98.9% of contested votes outside the assisted dying free votes. His stance profile is strongly pro-business (93%) and anti-tax-increase (87%), with near-zero alignment on workers' rights or progressive taxation. He has consistently opposed the government on Crime and Policing Bill Lords amendments, backing Lords changes on fly-tipping, IRGC proscription, non-crime hate incidents, and victims' rights -- areas where Conservatives have sought to put Labour on the defensive. Defence dominates his parliamentary output, accounting for 98 of 235 recorded contributions.

352
Commons votes
This parliament
£30k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.6k
Electorate
2024 GE

Con held for 5 consecutive elections.

Current Member of Parliament

James Cartlidge

James Cartlidge

Conservative and Unionist Party

James Cartlidge is the Conservative MP for South Suffolk, and has been an MP continually since 7 May 2015. He currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Defence.

Notable Votes

MPs voted on the Third Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill — the final Commons vote on whether to pass the assisted dying legislation in its amended form. Passing Third Reading sends the Bill to the House of Lords.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority
Closure motion16 May 2025

A closure motion was voted on to end debate and force an immediate vote on the matter under discussion. Closure motions are a procedural tool used to curtail further debate; passing one (288 Ayes vs 239 Noes) meant the House moved directly to a division on the substantive question.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

Vote on whether to allow employers who opt out of providing assisted dying to also prohibit their employees from participating in assisted dying while working for them. This amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults Bill would let, for example, a religious hospice or care home prevent its staff from facilitating assisted dying even if the individual healthcare worker personally wished to do so.

MP voted NoAgainst party majority

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Voting at a Glance

Represented by Con since 2024. Covers Sudbury, Hadleigh and Ipswich. Population 92,317, notably older (median age 49 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 52% below the national average.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Cartlidge’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.366 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Cartlidge has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
90
Economy
74
Employment
49
Crime & Policing
39
Education
28
Welfare and Benefits
21
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Third Reading20 Jun 2025 · free vote
Aye
Closure motion16 May 2025 · free vote
Aye
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Report Stage: Amendment (a) to New Clause 1016 May 2025 · free vote
No
§ 08The local picture.24 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
AssingtonLee Jonathan Parker452Liberal
Box ValeBryn Hurren684Liberal
BranthamAlastair McCraw560Independ
Brett ValeJohn Ward457Independ
Bures St Mary NaylandIsabelle Anne Lawrence Reece369Conserva
Capel St MaryJohn Whyman635Liberal
ChadacreMichael John Holt748Conserva
ChadacreStephen Albert Plumb712Independ
Copdock WashbrookDavid Busby591Liberal
East BergholtSallie Jean Davies546Green Pa
GangesDerek Stephen Davis310Independ
Great CornardMark David Newman660Conserva
Population (2021 Census)
92,317
Electorate 74,619 · 2024 register
Median income
£29,600
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
14.8%
England average 20.0%
Schools
56
38 primary · 5 secondary
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