Oliver has been an Ipswich Borough councillor since 2016 with particular interests in air quality concerns, climate change, planning and council finance. He has been regularly mentioned in local media including the Ipswich Star.

In 2017, Oliver just missed election to the County in a very tightly contested election in the St. Margaret's and Westgate Division. Standing again, Oliver says: "I believe the Lib Dems in Suffolk make a real difference and I am keen to join them and tackle the major issues worrying residents. The provision of fair adult and child social care is probably the biggest problem, one which I regularly came across in my former career as a solicitor. Another is the re-working of transport policies to provide a better connected system which complies with commitments to climate change."

After Covid, the next four years will possibly be the greatest challenge for the County for decades. Oliver believes the Lib Dem approach to local democracy will be vital: "We have always based our policies in the community and residents' ideas and involvement will be key in changing how services are provided by local authorities in the future. There is a real desire for change."

Outside his council duties, Oliver has for some years been involved as a team leader at the Ipswich Winter Night Shelter for homeless people. He has served as a school governor and used to be a trustee of Eastern Angles for many years.

Email oliver.holmes@ipswichlibdems.org.uk

Articles featuring Oliver Holmes: Oliver on the Buses (video)