PREPARE to be elected MP for Ipswich . . . in 2018!That was the message today to borough council hopeful Andrew Cann from senior Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb.

PREPARE to be elected MP for Ipswich . . . in 2018!

That was the message today to borough council hopeful Andrew Cann from senior Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb.

Mr Lamb was in town today to boost the party's campaign in the local election campaign and said the LibDem influence on the borough had had a big impact on the town.

“The success in the Cleaner England awards is largely down to our environmental policies, the party is making a big impact in local politics in Ipswich and across Suffolk.

“We need to translate that into success in general elections. For that you need someone, like Andrew Cann, who is prepared to work very hard in the constituency over a long period of time.

“I fought North Norfolk for 11 years before I was elected to the House of Commons. You can't win a seat after just a four-week period. I fought my constituency 52 weeks a year for 11 years before I was elected.

“You need that kind of commitment. I was the first Liberal MP in Norfolk since 1930 and now we have two target seats in the county as well as my seat.”

Mr Cann is hoping to win the Westgate Ward, which he lost by just 20 votes last May, to gain a seat on the borough as well as the county council.

During his visit to Suffolk Mr Lamb, who is Liberal Democrat health spokesman, met Ipswich Hospital chief executive to discuss its financial crisis and to find out how his party's policies could help ease its problems.