With Sussex and Brighton expected to elect their first directly elected regional mayor in May 2026, the race for party nominations is already underway - a year before voters go to the polls.
Early announcements show a mix of established figures from local and national politics, each offering a different take on what Sussex’s first regional leadership should look like.
So, who’s in so far - and what are they standing for?
🟦 Katy Bourne (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
Currently Sussex’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Bourne is the only directly elected pan-Sussex politician to-date. Her campaign promises to:
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Extend her record in community safety, resilience and regional coordination
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Use her leadership experience to deliver across multiple sectors, not just policing
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Bring a calm, non-partisan approach to building trust in the new role
Bourne is hoping to appeal to voters looking for continuity and regional experience.
🟦 Sally-Ann Hart (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
The former MP for Hastings and Rye is campaigning as a strong voice for coastal and eastern Sussex, with a focus on:
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Levelling up the overlooked towns and ensuring East Sussex isn’t marginalised
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Delivering on transport, digital connectivity and housing
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A mayoral model that serves everyone - not just the largest centres
Hart emphasises regional fairness, coastal regeneration and infrastructure as key priorities.
🟦 Tim Loughton (Conservative)
🔗 Campaign site
The former MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, and children's minister in the David Cameron government, has launched a highly visible campaign, framing himself as a localist voice against over-centralisation. He proposes:
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Three unitary authorities: one for West Sussex, one for East Sussex, and one for Brighton & Hove
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A “Sussex Mayoral Charter” to guarantee accountability and local involvement
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Protecting community identity and ensuring the mayor doesn’t favour the larger urban centres
Loughton is critical of “Brighton- or Crawley-led” versions of devolution, positioning himself as a champion of district voices.
🟦 Paul Marshall (Conservative)
🔗 Read more
As Leader of West Sussex County Council, Paul Marshall formally declared in mid-May. His pitch focuses on:
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A single unitary council for West Sussex
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Clear, cost-effective regional leadership
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Using the mayoral role to strengthen public service delivery and local accountability
Marshall says he offers direct experience of county-level reform and devolution negotiations.
🟥 Dan Yates (Labour)
🔗 Announcement article
Dan Yates, former Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, is Labour’s first publicly declared candidate. His platform focuses on:
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Using devolution to tackle inequality, health gaps and low opportunity
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Putting local services and climate action at the heart of the mayoralty
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Emphasising Brighton’s potential as a driver for inclusive growth across the region
Yates is emphasising his city leadership experience and a progressive platform centred on public service reform and fairness.
🧭 What’s at stake?
The Mayor for Sussex and Brighton will lead a new strategic authority with powers expected to include:
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Transport, adult education, housing investment, and economic development
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Potential future responsibilities in climate resilience, public health, and policing (if aligned)
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Representing Sussex on the national stage, including funding and inward investment
Early campaign themes already show sharp differences:
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Governance structure: single vs multiple unitaries
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Balance of power: city-led vs distributed leadership
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Regional identity: who defines what Sussex stands for?
Expect more candidates to raise their heads in the coming months - particularly from the Greens, Reform, Liberal Democrats and Independents - as the political landscape evolves ahead of the 2026 election.
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