Danielle Newson is our parliamentary candidate for the new Sussex Weald constituency. Danielle is a lawyer working for the NHS and is currently a Borough Councillor for Guildford representing a largely wealthy rural area. From humble beginnings as the daughter of a Royal Navy father and helping raise her younger siblings, through a close call requiring months of hospitalisation to fighting for everyone's right to adequate and free at point of use healthcare. Now a mother and grandmother, Danielle also fights to improve water infrastructure, protect the environment, and improve education for the next generation.
Danielle says: “The Conservatives have neglected schools. Their reckless
cuts and teacher shortages have let children and parents down. Children are our future and
we must ensure they have the best start possible.”
Ben Dempsey is our parliamentary candidate for the new 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 the current government 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."
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.
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.
Liberal Democrats believe that everyone has the right to enjoy clean, safe water and unpolluted rivers, lakes, and coastlines. We are committed to ending the national sewage scandal and holding water companies accountable for their environmental impact.
Liberal Democrats have passed new policy to stand up for bereaved families and kinship carers, so more young people can grow up in a loving, stable home.
We are committed to tackling the challenges facing our music industry head-on. By doing so, we can maintain the UK’s reputation as a global leader in music, while giving future generations the chance to share in its success.
