Low key campaign in Suffolk Coastal but postal votes high

Victoria Nicholls>

Suffolk Coastal voters went to the polls today following a low-key campaign battle compared to those fought in some of their neighbouring constituencies.

The sunny weather has seen a 'steady' flow of voters to polling stations throughout the rural constituency, which stretches along the Suffolk coast from Southwold to Felixstowe.

Constituents took the opportunity to choose a new MP to take the place of Tory John Gummer, who stood down after 27 years in the seat.

Polling day marks the end of a quiet campaign involving five candidates, which was notable by its absence of visits by big name politicians. The five, Therese Coffey of the Conservatives, Labour's Adam Leeder, Liberal Democrats' Daisy Cooper, Rachel Fulcher of the Greens and UKIP's Prof Stephen Bush all made appearances on Felixstowe TV recently.

Suffolk Coastal District Council has reported that the day has so far been incident free, and compared to the quiet but steady stream of voters at the more rural stations, and in Southwold, Halesworth's polling station saw a fair bit of activity in the early morning.

Late afternoon reports suggest that the turnout in Suffolk Coastal is so far in line with its usual level, which is normally above the national average. This year postal voting has reached record levels, although an exact figure has not yet been given.

The constituency, which includes the seaside towns of Walberswick and Aldeburgh, has seen only a few minor tweaks to boundaries this election, the most notable being the loss of Wickham Market to Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

The final preparations are being made to the counting centre at Suffolk Police headquarters in Martlesham, Ipswich, where 60 people will carry out the counting from 10pm. The result is expected at 2-3am.