Ed Davey vows to ‘paint Sussex bright Lib Dem orange’ in local elections
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey vowed to turn Sussex ‘Lib Dem orange’ and stop Reform in their tracks on a visit to Mid Sussex on Tuesday (February 17).
Sir Ed became the first party leader to visit Sussex following the news that local elections are set to go ahead in May after a Government U-turn.
Visiting Haywards Heath alongside local Lib Dem MP for Mid Sussex Alison Bennett and Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller, Sir Ed said the Liberal Democrats are the best antidote to both the ‘failing local Conservative Party’ and the ‘divisive politics of Reform’.
He also criticised Conservatives on East and West Sussex County Councils for trying to ‘delay their own downfall’ by attempting to postpone vital elections in the county.
Elections will now go ahead this May for Adur District Council, Crawley Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and Worthing Borough Council.
Sir Ed said: “These local elections are a chance to stop Nigel Farage in his tracks, paint Sussex bright Lib Dem orange and deliver the real change people are crying out for.
“The Conservatives in Sussex tried to delay their own downfall by denying people their democratic right to vote.
“It’s clear the Conservatives in Sussex are finished and that this election is now turning into a fight between the Liberal Democrats and Reform.
“Liberal Democrats are the antidote, both to the Conservative Party who have failed the people of Sussex for decades, and Reform’s brand of divisive politics which offers no actual solutions.
“We will deliver the real change people are crying out for with our bold plan to fix the NHS and care, cut energy bills and restore neighbourhood policing.”
Mid Sussex MP Alison Bennett said: “This failed stitch-up between Conservative councillors and Labour ministers should not be forgiven.
“The people of Sussex deserve councillors that will fight tooth-and-nail for them, not ones who are scared of accountability.
“From fixing potholes to improving schools, it is the Liberal Democrats who offer a brighter future for people in Sussex.
“If you elect a Liberal Democrat, you are electing a local champion driven by a passion for improving their community.”