Meet Benedict Dempsey - Parliamentary Spokesperson for East Grinstead & Uckfield

Ben Dempsey is our parliamentary candidate for the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency. Ben has worked for more than 15 years for humanitarian and environmental charities. He has a masters degree in sustainable development and a PhD in nature conservation. Ben grew up in Haywards Heath, went to Oxford University and lived in London for ten years, before moving back to Sussex in 2010 to raise his family. He was a Mid Sussex District councillor from 2019 to 2023.

Ben says: "Our politics can be so much better. The behaviour of  successive governments has undermined British values of honesty and tolerance, and we seem to be losing the ability to address complex issues in a rational and reasonable way. I want to be elected to help restore decency, competence and compassion in our country."

Meet Steve Murphy - County Councillor for Hailsham Market

Ordinary people doing extraordinary work for the community

Steve Murphy has been the county councillor for Hailsham Market division since 2021 and has lived in Hailsham for 40 years. In that time Steve had achieved considerable success through local government as a community organiser. He set up free Christmas lunches for the homeless and alone during Covid.  He led his community in renovating a local footbridge from graffiti covered eyesore into a beautiful artistic display.  Separate to his council work he participates in litter picking in his local area as a member of the Wealden Wombles, organises vigils for the people of Ukraine, and has arranged much needed supplies for the youth centre in Hailsham.  Steve continues to fight for better medical facilities in Hailsham, against school closures, and improving local roads.

New Cooperative Alliance for Wealden District Council

Following the recent historic council elections we are Very Happy to report the formation of a Cooperative Alliance between the Wealden Liberal Democrats and the Wealden Green party - together we will control Wealden District Council for the next four years.

The new Council Leader will be James Partridge (Liberal Democrats) and the new deputy leader will be Rachel Millward (The Green Party).

Please see the full details together with comments from James and Rachel in the press release here

While the first full council meeting is not until next Wednesday, today was an opportunity for the whole 'Alliance' group of newly elected Green and Liberal Democrat Councillors to come together and meet properly - this followed a training session at the council offices in Hailsham.

Brilliant results

for Lib Dems in Wealden District Elections

All 45 seats on the council were up for grabs. Before the election there were 28 Conservatives, 6 Lib dems, 7 Independents and 4 Greens, giving the Conservatives a comfortable majority and control of the Council (and they've had control of Wealden District Council for decades). After a hard-fought campaign, we were delighted that voters registered their dissatisfaction with the ruling Tories at the ballot box and relegated them to 4th position.

Meanwhile, for the first time in Wealden's history, the Liberal Democrats now have the most councillors!

No party on the council has overall control and it will be interesting to see how the key positions on the Council will be decided. Whatever is agreed it definitely means that the Lib Dems will have much more influence than in the past.