Welcome to our page for the Sussex Mayoralty
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What's the Sussex Mayor?
The Sussex Mayor is a new role being introduced by the Government for May 2026 along with new councils.
The new mayor will bring together councils across Brighton & Hove and East and West Sussex.
The Mayor will have powers for transport, the economy, planning and housing and more from Chichester to Rye and everywhere in between, including Brighton & Hove.
Sussex Lib Dems choose Ben Dempsey to be our candidate.
About Ben Dempsey
A Local Champion for Sussex
Ben Dempsey grew up in Haywards Heath and has lived in Sussex for most of his life. He now works on UK nature restoration for a large wildlife organisation and has a PhD in nature conservation from the University of Sussex.
He was previously a senior leader in humanitarian organisations, including Save the Children, managing major budgets, leading teams and working in conflict zones such as Gaza.
Ben has served as a Mid Sussex District Councillor. He now lives in Ditchling with his children and his wife, who is an NHS doctor. A Brighton & Hove Albion supporter, he enjoys walking on the Downs with his golden retriever, Alba.
Hope for East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove
Ben is Ambitious for Sussex's Future.
To secure a fair deal for everyone in Sussex, we must build a stronger, fairer economy.
As your Mayor, Ben Dempsey will be a positive leader, shaping an inspiring future for our county. He will unite people to work for a new deal on housing, providing sustainable, low-cost and social homes. Ben will also collaborate with local businesses to boost our economy, championing Sussex’s extraordinary assets, including our food and wine, innovative universities, heritage, and natural environment.
Too often, the most vulnerable are asked to bear the burden of difficult political decisions. Ben will work across political lines to find positive solutions for under-pressure services like the NHS and social care. He will especially listen to communities who have been left behind, ensuring everyone can share in Sussex’s prosperous future.
Take climate action now
Ben will use his years of experience in the environmental sector to embed nature at the heart of Sussex's future, taking the urgent climate action needed and restoring our environment to boost our economy and wellbeing.
He said: ‘Sussex has an extraordinary natural environment. It underpins our communities, our wellbeing and our whole economy.”
The Lib Dems in Sussex are fighting against Southern Water’s sewage dumps in our local seaside and rivers.
Unity not division
Like the environment, our political climate is also in jeopardy. Too many politicians are seeking to sow mistrust and exploit divisions between communities.
The Lib Dems stand proudly on a position of unity. Sussex, especially Brighton & Hove, is a welcoming, diverse and tolerant place - something we are all proud of.
Ben Dempsey said, “I want to bring communities together, not drive them apart. We must reject the rhetoric of the far right and stand proudly, accepting people as they are. Please support me in doing so.”
