Political opinion: Labour and Conservatives act together to prevent Sussex elections, say Lib Dems
Liberal Democrats demand that all elections scheduled for May 2026 should go ahead, following the Labour Government’s announcement of a two-year delay to Mayoral elections in Sussex, along with three other areas of England.
At the same time, Conservative-controlled West Sussex County Council has requested the cancellation of the county elections for a second year running, to avoid certain defeat and loss of power at County Hall . This is despite the Conservative party in Westminster attacking Labour for allowing cancellations in the first place.
Liberal Democrats demand that all elections go ahead in May 2026 as planned, allowing residents their much-needed say in who steers our area through devolution and local government reorganisation over the next few years.
Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, John Milne, commented: “I’m dismayed by this latest move from the Labour government. It proves what a shambles they have made of both devolution and local government regulation.
“Candidates from all the main parties are in place. Our fantastic Liberal Democrat candidate Ben Dempsey is ready to fight to step up to this newly created role of Mayor of Sussex, with new devolved powers for transport, the economy, planning, and housing.
“Starmer is cancelling these elections to save himself from a leadership fight. The Conservative response to this move reeks of hypocrisy. While Tory MPs have decried this delay as ‘scandalous’, West Sussex Conservatives are complicit in their requests for a further delay to West Sussex County Elections.
“Conservative County Councillors are attempting to cling on to power in an attempt to influence the new Combined Authority and local government reorganisation.
“Residents deserve the chance to vote out Conservatives squatting in County Hall.”
Responding to news that the government will delay multiple Mayor elections to 2028, Ben Dempsey, Lib Dem candidate for Mayor of Sussex, said: “This is a complete mess, created by a government that seems to be defined by shambolic indecision.
The people of Sussex are now being denied the chance to vote for that future, eroding our democracy and wasting public money that was being invested in preparing for the role of Mayor.
“This decision shows the government either isn’t serious about delivering growth and sustainability in Sussex, or is too incompetent to deliver it. The only silver lining is that the election in 2028 will take place with a fairer voting system.
“The Lib Dems will continue promoting our positive vision for a prosperous, tolerant and green future for Sussex, starting with the county council elections in May.”
While the Mayoral election has now been delayed until 2028, the fate of the Combined Authority – comprising Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex – remains unknown, having been scheduled to be established on 1 April 2026, in advance of Mayoral Elections.
As it stands the Combined Authority, with two representatives from the controlling parties of each existing authority, would have two Labour members (Brighton & Hove), and four Conservatives (two from each of East & West Sussex) – all four with expired electoral mandates.