Political opinion with Alison Bennett MP: Mid Sussex's future depends on ambition, resilience and community

Last Friday, I was invited to speak at the FlexMatters Mid Sussex Leaders Lunch, which brought together business leaders from across the district while raising money for Rockinghorse, a brilliant local children’s charity. 

Spending time with local employers and business leaders always reminds me what makes Mid Sussex such a successful and dynamic place. Across our towns, villages and rural communities, I meet people who are creating jobs, developing new ideas, investing in local people and positively contributing to our area. 

Mid Sussex is fortunate to have many strengths. We have a highly skilled workforce, excellent transport links and strong business networks. We are well placed to attract investment and support innovation. But perhaps our greatest asset is something less tangible, something that struck me when I moved to the area fourteen years ago, and that is the strong sense of community. This is valuable, because business success and community success are so closely connected.  

In recent years, businesses have faced extraordinary challenges. From the pandemic and Brexit to changing working patterns and rapid technological developments, organisations have had to adapt at pace. What has impressed me most during conversations with employers across Mid Sussex is their resilience. They are committed to making a real difference and sharing something positive with their community, often in the face of real challenges.  

As we look ahead, the challenge is not simply how we navigate the next year, but what kind of Mid Sussex we want to build over the next decade. That requires ambition and collaboration. Businesses, schools, colleges, local authorities and community organisations all have a role to play in ensuring young people can access skills and opportunities close to home, and that our local economy continues to grow sustainably. 

The event also highlighted the importance of giving back. Rockinghorse Children's Charity provides life-changing support to sick and disabled children across Sussex, and their work makes a tangible difference to some of the most vulnerable children in our communities. It was heartening to see such strong support for Rockinghorse and its mission and showed the very best of our business community.  

Despite the challenges ahead, I remain optimistic. Mid Sussex is home to talented people, innovative businesses and strong communities. If we continue to work together and invest in people, we can build a better future for future generations.