May 2nd, 2025.



Lewes District Green Party councillors gathered outside County Hall yesterday, (May 1st), to protest what they have described as the end of the democratic mandate of the Conservative leadership at East Sussex County Council,(ESCC), which had been scheduled to face fresh elections yesterday.

The County Council elections were expected to see significant Conservative losses for an administration with no majority. Instead, in what the Green Party has labelled “a travesty”, East Sussex voters have been denied their say at the ballot box, after the government granted the Conservative administration’s request to cancel the election.

“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. For the Conservatives to continue governing without democratic consent is an affront to every voter in East Sussex,” said Green Party District Councillor Paul Keene. 

“The Conservatives no longer speak for East Sussex,” added Green Party County Councillor Wendy Maples. “By dodging the ballot box, they’ve made clear they are not interested in the people of East Sussex, they’re only interested in keeping a
finger-hold on power.”

An election for a new mayor of all of Sussex and Brighton & Hove is expected in 2026, and county and district and borough councils are expected to merge to form a unitary authority to be elected in 2027 or 2028.

“From May the 1st, this unelected Conservative county council administration will be holding on to power, not even with a majority of the Council, by just the Chair's casting vote. And they may stay there for two or even three years while local
government reorganisation takes place,” said Cllr. Johnny Denis, Leader of the Greens at ESCC. “They are unwilling to concede even an inch and cling on to power by their fingernails," he added.

Lewes District Green Party urges all East Sussex residents, regardless of political affiliation, to act in defence of democracy.

“This is not democracy. This is a scandal,” said Cllr. Keene. “I’m urging residents to ask their County Councillor if they think it is right that they haven’t faced the ballot box and yet will now continue to make decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for the County."

“I never imagined I would see the day when Conservatives were sitting in County Hall defending squatters’ rights,” said Cllr. Maples, “but these are strange and disturbing times.”

What Residents Can Do:

· Write to your County Councillor: ask if they supported denying our right to choose who is making decisions for East Sussex.

· Raise your voice: speak out publicly for democratic accountability

· Support democracy: share this message and show up to be counted