East Grinstead and Uckfield Lib Dem candidate selected
The Liberal Democrats have selected Ben Dempsey to contest the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency at the next general election.
Ben, who came second to Mims Davies in the 2024 election, is a professional nature conservationist with 25 years’ experience. Over that time, he has been a senior leader in large organisations including Save the Children, where he managed budgets, led teams and worked with Cabinet ministers. He studied conservation in Ashdown Forest for his PhD at Sussex University, and in his current role he works to help both nature and people in the UK thrive.
Ben grew up locally and lives in the area with his wife, an NHS doctor, their three children, and their dog, cat and chickens.
If elected, he pledged to use his experience to fix the broken water system and protect the countryside, improve the NHS and social care, and tackle the cost of living. He said the area is “a wonderful part of the country” but “can be even better”, adding that the broken water system is “a disgrace” and that homes are being built without the infrastructure to support them. He also said the economy is being held back by the “botched Brexit deal” with Europe, affecting investment in public services and living costs.
Ben said he will work tirelessly to help fix these issues, stand up for British values of tolerance, decency and cooperation, and be a champion for local people in Westminster. He said he was confident the Liberal Democrats could go one better than his second-place finish at the last general election.