The government has confirmed plans to vote for a new Sussex mayor have been pushed back two years. Originally planned for May 2026, the inaugural election will now take place in 2028.
On Thursday 4 December Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, explained Sussex was one of four areas in England where elections will be delayed whilst local government re-organisation is completed. “This is because devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, therefore moving forward we will ensure strong unitary structures are in place before areas take on mayoral devolution.”
The new role will be responsible for the police, transport and development across both East and West Sussex.
Consultation is continuing on how East Sussex councils will be re-organised, however it has been confirmed both the county council and district councils will be replaced in coming years.
Six candidates had been confirmed for May’s election. They’ve been giving their reaction to the two year delay.
Statements on postponement of mayoral elections
Caroline Baxter (Labour)
Of course I’m disappointed by today’s announcement, I was ready for the election next year, but I am pleased that local government reform is being prioritised. I welcome the news that Sussex and Brighton will be getting our share of nearly £6 billion in devolution funding. That is £38 million a year to deliver much needed skills programmes and transform our high streets with regeneration projects that fully back our local businesses.
Katy Bourne (Conservative)
Democracy is being denied yet again – after the council elections were cancelled by Labour this year. I firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well underway. Abolishing the mayoral elections and the fundamental right to trial by jury in the same week, is a worrying authoritarian trend and another chapter in this government’s book of shambles!
Ben Dempsey (Liberal Democrat)
This is a complete mess, created by a government that seems to be defined by shambolic indecision. The Liberal Democrats have been promoting a positive vision for Sussex’s future protecting our environment, improving our transport and growing our economy, harnessing Sussex’s unique identity. This decision shows the government either isn’t serious about delivering growth and sustainability in Sussex, or is too incompetent to deliver it.
Paul Linehan (Reform UK)
Residents of Sussex and Brighton have had their votes unjustly taken away because this Labour government is petrified of facing voters at the ballot box. As a result of their political gerrymandering, local people will miss out on strong leadership and investment for at least another two years. This is the action of a dictatorship, not a democracy.
Rachael Millward (Green Party)
Labour: incompetent, scared and zero regard for democracy. The devolution agenda they sprung on us a year ago is in utter chaos, they are terrified of their plummeting in the polls, and – most importantly – they are completely failing to solve the real problems of local government. Inequality rises, the housing crisis continues, our bills keep rising – the cost of living is staggering. But Labour just pour resource into chaos, rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic like real lives aren’t impacted.
Martin Webb (Independent)
The Labour Government has cancelled the Sussex Mayoral election – and let’s be honest, we all know why. They knew their candidate didn’t stand a chance of winning. They knew Sussex wasn’t buying what they were selling. And rather than face the voters, they’ve pulled the plug. This is nothing short of an insult to democracy in Sussex. People were promised the chance to choose their own mayor – someone accountable to them, not Westminster. Now that voice has been taken away because the government feared the result.
Image Credits: Google Maps , Russell Hall .