More mayoral hopefuls seek their party nomination
*Apologies - the email sent this morning was a draft version, and included some place-holder text instead of the intended verified information. Please refer only to this bulletin instead. Thank you!*
More people are stepping forward and launching campaigns to be their political party's candidate for Mayor of Sussex and Brighton.
🟨 Dr Ben Dempsey (Liberal Democrat)
🔗 Manifesto PDF
A policy researcher and campaigner with experience in youth empowerment and the charity sector, Dempsey is standing for the Liberal Democrat nomination with a platform based on equality, accountability, and pragmatic leadership. His pledges include:
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Tackling inequality across the region through social investment and housing
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An integrated transport system with better bus networks and joined-up cycle routes
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Putting nature at the heart of decision-making through a Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Dempsey frames the mayoralty as a catalyst for social justice and sustainability.
🟨 Stewart Stone (Liberal Democrat)
🔗 Manifesto PDF
A career coach and long-time Liberal Democrat campaigner, Stone is standing on a platform of competence, public service and effective regional planning. His key messages include:
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Making “sweeping improvements through effective management and sound financial planning”
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Using his professional background to bring cross-sector insight into housing, education, transport and healthcare
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Building on his experience as a local and parliamentary candidate across the South East
Stone sees the mayoralty as a “pivotal” opportunity to deliver better outcomes across Sussex and raise the Liberal Democrat profile in the region.
🟨 Michael Wang (Liberal Democrat)
🔗 Manifesto PDF
An immigration lawyer and entrepreneur, Wang is running on a platform titled Ambitious for Sussex, aiming to combine innovation, sustainability and community voice. His pledges include:
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“Creating more housing. Right place. Right price.”
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“Improving health and care. Coordination. Efficiency.”
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“Turbocharging the economy. Innovation × sustainability.”
Wang presents himself as a pragmatic problem-solver with business experience and a fresh perspective, stating: “Sussex is crying out for hope and a different path in politics.”
A Brighton-based entrepreneur, broadcaster and former Sussex Police Special Sergeant, Webb is seeking Labour’s nomination with a campaign grounded in community leadership, economic opportunity and civic pride. His proposals include:
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“More uniformed police officers patrolling on foot in our towns, cities and villages”
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Affordable housing in the right places, backed by infrastructure
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Greener transport, rural investment and a strong volunteering culture
Webb frames the mayoralty as a “chance to improve lives,” with a pledge to “work constructively with anyone sensible, right across the political spectrum.”
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Who has previously put their name forward?
🟦 Katy Bourne (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
🟦 Sally-Ann Hart (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
🟦 Tim Loughton (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
🟦 Paul Marshall (Conservative)
🔗 Read more
🟥 Dan Yates (Labour)
🔗 Read more
You can listen to our interview with Sally-Ann Hart here.
Our interview with Tim Loughton will be released on Monday, as well as conversations with other aspiring candidates over the next few weeks.
Each political party is going through a process of selection, choosing one candidate each to put forward when the campaign is officially launched in spring 2026.
There are likely to be names emerging for Green and Reform parties in the coming weeks and months, as well as more names for Labour - and it is expected that a number of independent candidates will also consider running.
We'll keep you in the loop.
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