🔶 Ben (Lib)Dempsey 🔶

Ed’s been here in Sussex campaigning for the county elections.

In both East and West Sussex it’s the Lib Dems who have shown we can beat both the Conservatives and Reform.

Come and join us!

Such judgement

Two social media posts. The first is from Keir Starmer and reads: “The UK has long supported a transition of power in Venezuela. We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime. I reiterated my support for international law this morning. The UK government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.” Below it is a post from Ed Davey that reads: “This cop out isn’t good enough. Standing up for international law means condemning leaders when they break it, whether that’s Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump.”

The government must stop looking for excuses, stop asking the councillors beyond their mandate for permission to hold elections, and simply allow the people of Sussex to have their say.

At a time when trust in politics is already dangerously low, this further corrodes it by treating Sussex voters with contempt. It is simply unacceptable for unpopular Labour and Tory officials to collude in this way to deny the public their democratic right to vote.

The whole process has been a shambles. First, the May 2025 county elections were delayed with a promise of a new Mayor. Then, the government cancelled those Mayoral elections. Now, they are inviting the Sussex Tories to help them finish the job by 'requesting' a further delay to the county elections

Millions could see county council elections delayed again The government is expected to argue that the delay is needed because councils need more time to complete a reorganisation process.

This is a democratic farce. The government is essentially asking Conservative council leaders if they would like to grant themselves an extra year in power. It is like a teacher asking a student if they’d prefer to skip their exams because they aren’t ready.

news.sky.com/story/millio...

This delay is another example of the govt’s shambolic indecision

Sussex is being denied the chance to vote for Lib Dems’ positive vision for the future

We’ll keep working for a prosperous, tolerant and green Sussex, starting with the county council elections in May

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Both! It’s all of Sussex, including Brighton and Hove. The election is on 7th May.

Thanks Clare, and best wishes to your mum!

Thank you! It’s Ben.dempsey@sussexlibdems.org.uk

If you're able, please donate to my campaign to help me win here: wealdenlibdems.org.uk/donate/BenFo...

It's Lib Dems or Reform for Sussex Mayor.

The choice is clear: I will fight to protect our environment. I'll deliver better public transport, and champion a stronger local economy for everyone. We are the positive alternative. We can win this. Help me win 👇

www.southeastlibdems.org.uk/volunteer

The Chancellor missed a lot of opportunities to turn the corner in today's budget. Freezing tax thresholds will hurt families already struggling, Sussex businesses should have been backed, and crucially Brexit damage is still being ignored. My reaction to the budget👇

GOVERNMENT SAYS SUSSEX WILL HAVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MAY 2026

Elections have already been postponed once, and James MacCleary MP has been pushing to make sure Conservative-run county councils will face voters in May.

It’s time for Sussex to have its say, and for a fresh start.

Watch James, below

If you’re in Ashdown & Conquest division of Hastings, vote for Martin Griffiths tomorrow!

#VoteLibDem #Hastings #Sussex

The government say there needs to be strong justification for delaying Sussec council elections again. I hope they will tell Sussex Tories that wanting to cling onto power isn’t that. It’s time for elections, it’s time for change in Sussex. Read their reply to my call for votes to go ahead 👇

Great to be in Brighton today and listen to ideas for supporting businesses here. I want to draw Sussex together and make it a place to do business.

Got a business based in Sussex? I'd love to hear how we could support you and grow our economy. Email me at: ben.dempsey@sussexlibdems.org.uk

We have to stand up for our British institutions like the BBC.

There is a reason people like President Trump and Nigel Farage want to bring the BBC down.

That would make it easier for them to spread their misinformation unchallenged.

Southern Water sorry after pellets pollute Camber Sands beach Millions of pellets, thought to have come from the Eastbourne treatment works, have been washed up at Camber Sands.

Shocking to see this plastic pollution at Camber Sands caused by Southern Water.

We need stronger enforcement to hold water companies to account for their ongoing pollution of our rivers and seas.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Sussex is brilliant, and people here deserve a positive plan for what's next. We need a Mayor who gets our communities and will fight hard to make this amazing county even better. Great to listen and chat with residents in Maidenbower (Crawley), Broadbridge Heath, and Horsham this weekend.

Today I’m remembering those who sacrificed themselves for us, those who continue to serve, and all those around the world who continue to be affected by war and conflict.

We must always work for peace.

After two more Lib Dem gains yesterday, it’s an increasingly clear picture…

Lib Dems are holding the line against Reform while Conservatives and Labour collapse.

Unity not division!

Great to join Jess Brown-Fuller MP in Chichester. She's delivering for West Sussex on fighting to stop sewage dumps, the local hospital, and the cost of living. With five Lib Dem MPs working hard in their communities, we have the positive momentum to stop Reform UK's divisive politics across Sussex

Political opinion: Further delay to elections would be ‘an insult to democracy’, says Lib Dem Ben Dempsey Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Sussex Ben Dempsey has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, to demand that elections in Sussex go ahead in 2026 -...

We must let Sussex have its say!

Council elections have to go ahead in May.

www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion...

Still other way of looking at it is that Labour in Wales is being monstered by a similar pincer movement to what is crushing the Tories in the south east. In this case Plaid-Reform in latter Reform-Lib Dem.

Liberal Democrats stand for unity, not division.

West Sussex LNRS - Help shape your Local Nature Recovery Strategy A new strategy to help nature in West Sussex The first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for West Sussex has now been drafted. Informed by the views and expertise of more than 1,000 local people a...

Consultations are open for the Sussex Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

As Mayor I’d put these strategies at the heart of decision-making, esp on planning.

Have your say here.

West Sussex: yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/lnrs-west

East Sussex + Brighton & Hove: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/environment/...

This is why techniques like coppicing and hedge-laying work so well, because they mimic the snapping and trampling of elephants. So interesting!