This week is the official beginning of the new Government and the opening of Parliament. In Sussex we have seventeen MPs an increase from the previous sixteen. There are three experienced Conservatives, Nus Ghani, Mims Davies and Andrew Griffith and one experienced Labour Peter Kyle. The other thirteen representing Sussex are new to the MP role.

There are six Labour MPs including two brand new representatives. Worthing which has never before had Labour MPs now has two. The Worthing West MP is Dr Beccy Cooper who challenged Peter Bottomley in 2017 and 2019 and previously she has been a Councillor. The East Worthing and Shoreham MP is Tom Rutland from London. The Crawley MP is Peter Lamb who tried to be the MP in 2019. He was the leader of Crawley Council from 2014-2022. Crawley was represented by a Labour MP from 1997 to 2010. The Hastings and Rye MP is Helena Dollimore who has previously been a Labour representative from 1997 to 2010. She states she

“was born and bred in East Sussex, attended local state schools and spent her lockdown as a volunteer vaccinator in Hastings supporting the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine.” 

The final MP is Chris Ward who has replaced Lloyd from Brighton Kemptown. Chris was born and grew up in Brighton. It will be interesting to see what he brings to the area.  

There are two groups of five Sussex MPs which include Conservatives which is challenging for them as it is now so much smaller than the past. Along with the three experienced MPs that we know, there are two new Sussex Conservative MPs. One of them is Kieran Mullan, previously the MP for Crewe and Nantwich from 2019, now in Bexhill and Battle. The other is the new Conservative for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton in West Sussex, Alison Griffiths who has never been an MP. She comments

“I am so proud to be selected as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. I realise the honour and responsibility this role represents and as always, I will not shirk the challenge. I fight to win!”

The Liberal Democrats now have representation in two parts of East Sussex, Eastbourne and Lewes. In West Sussex the Liberal Democrats have not had any representation over the last 100 years or more but now there are three Liberal Democrat MPs. Josh(ua) Babarinde represents Eastbourne and is a relatively young candidate. Indeed, one of his teachers in the past was Caroline Ansell who he beaten during this election period! James MacCleary represents Lewes and previously was a Lewes Councillor since 2019 and in 2021. He will be well known in the East Sussex area. The Horsham MP is John Milne and he claims

“I’ve lived with my family in Horsham District for 10 years. No doubt about it, moving here was one of my best decisions!”

and then

“Currently I serve on Forest Neighbourhood Council, Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council. After the Lib Dems success at the last local election, I’m now also Deputy Leader of Horsham District Council”.

The Chichester MP is Jess Brown-Fuller she states she

“has lived in the Chichester area since the 90’s, studied at Chichester University and is now raising her family in the area”

and

“Jess is an elected member at Chichester District Council and holds the portfolio for culture, arts & events and is proud to champion the sector and the benefits it brings to the economy of Chichester.”

The MP for Mid Sussex is Alison Bennett who describe her as

“Alison is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mid Sussex where she has lived for the last 12 years”

and

“Over the last nine years Alison has turned around the Mid Sussex Lib Dems’ fortunes.”

Sian Berry has replaced Caroline Lucas as the Green MPs for Brighton Pavilion. This continues the Green Party representation from 2010 when Caroline was first elected MP. Following Carolines retirement, she supported Sian and together with the three other Green MPs that have been established in the UK represent a significant increase this year. The other MPs are based in North Herefordshire, Bristol Central and Waveney Valley, between Norfolk and Suffolk. Along with the impact of the Green MPs it is noteworthy that areas across the South East have changed the MP structures.

Prior to this Election Kent had fifteen Conservative MPs and two Labour MPs. Now there are eleven Labour MPs, five Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat. In Surrey previously there were eleven Conservatives, but now six Liberal Democrats and only five Conservatives. The current situation for Hampshire is nine Conservatives, six Labour and three Liberal Democrats. Of the responses for Sussex there were a few political groups that received considerable vote numbers Reform UK received 60,727 for West Sussex, 36,646 for East Sussex and 7,394 for Brighton and Hove. The Green Party received 22,841 for West Sussex and 15,788 for East Sussex. The newly formed ward of East Grinsted and Uckfield is represented by Mims Davies who represented the old ward of Mid Sussex but the Green Party for this ward received5,277. The Conservative position for Brighton and Hove was 18,835 votes and 7,394 votes for Reform UK. 

All of the new Sussex members of Parliament will be excited to represent our area and it will be interesting to see what they contribute over the next few years.