Monday Mail: Home or Away

Home - let’s keep the momentum going in Mid Sussex

First up, congratulations to Trevor and the Burgess Hill Liberal Democrats who secured a strong hold of a seat on the Town Council last Thursday. Thank you to the people of Franklands Ward who said no to Reform and the Conservatives.

Secondly, here in Mid Sussex we are now working hard ahead of four by-elections. 

Two in Haywards Heath Bentswood & Heath East for Haywards Heath Town Council, and then two West Sussex County Council by-elections. One in Burgess Hill North, and finally one in Hassocks and Burgess Hill South. 

Polling day for all four by-elections will be Thursday 5th June. 

Over the weekend, I have been out on the doorstep with our impressive candidates - Jane, Erika, Kirsten and Billah. We want to make sure that we are listening to people so that we understand the issues that are important in Mid Sussex right now. It’s always interesting an enjoyable knocking on doors and spending time with people across Mid Sussex. Thank you for making the time to talk to us. 

With a month to polling day, there is lots to do. If you would like to support any or all of our candidates, your help would - as ever - be very much appreciated. 

There are lots of different ways to get involved:

• delivering leaflets
• having a poster up
• knocking on doors
• helping out on polling day itself

It’s easy to volunteer on our website.

Away - big wins for the Liberal Democrats

I was frustrated that here in Sussex we were denied the opportunity to have elections for West Sussex County Council - this is so that the government can push through local government reorganisation and the establishment of a Sussex mayor. 

Even though we didn’t get a chance to vote, I was watching the Liberal Democrats’ fortunes elsewhere, and I am pleased by how well we did. 

We overtook the Conservatives right across middle England—from Wiltshire to Devon— a good stepping stone towards doing the same thing at the next general election.

We gained 163 councillors, electing 370 in total, and took control of three councils— Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Shropshire. We also became the largest party in places like Devon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, and made big gains across the country.

The story of the night was Reform’s surge. Amongst the councils they took control of, Kent is nearest to us. This means that Reform will finally have to answer to voters on big issues like special educational needs, adult social care, and ubiquitous potholes. These services face soaring demand, and inadequate funding. 

I think we are approaching the point where Reform’s rhetoric collides with reality. 

BBC Politics South East

If you would like to watch early signs of this collision, then yesterday’s Politics South East is a case in point where I was a panellist. 

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,
Alison

PS: If you’ve enjoyed this week’s Monday Mail, please spread the word and tell your friends by forwarding it to them. Anyone can sign up here.