May 21st, 2026.



The newly elected East Sussex County Council met today and The Greens and Conservatives were off the starting blocks with their press releases published below in the order they landed for your information. Don't blame us for the typos...

UPDATE: The Lib Dems have now joined the fun - See below.

Nothing yet from the Reform or Labour camps. Oh well...

EAST SUSSEX CONSERVATIVES AT ANNUAL MEETING
The trio of Conservatives elected to East Sussex County Council have chosen not to do any deal to form an alliance with other parties, instead they pledge to be a constructive opposition, choosing to vote on any issue according to Conservative principles and the interests of residents.

In his address to Annual Council (21 May), Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Paul Redstone (Northern Rother), said that his group respected the result of May 7th poll and promised to “support what’s good for East Sussex and oppose what is not”.

“Clearly the voters of East Sussex have voted for change”, said Cllr Redstone. He acknowledged local concerns about immigration and a loss of confidence in national politics but reminded the meeting that the focus as county councillors was on the services and issues directly in the remit of the authority; namely: highways, social care, children’s services and the day-to-day functioning of the county council. “That is where residents rightly expect us to deliver”, he said.

Following May 7th elections, the council is under ‘no overall control’ and Cllr Redstone acknowledged how his Group had been approached to form coalitions with either Reform or “some sort of LibDem/Green alliance”. He said it was a difficult decision but after much discussion with his colleagues the “strong sense of duty to residents” was the deciding factor.

“Let me be absolutely clear”, Cllr Redstone told the meeting, “there have been no deals, either formal or informal, with Reform, the LibDems or Greens.

“As Conservatives who deeply care about our community, the three of us will seek to be the voice of reason. We will be ‘constructive opposition’, looking at each issue on a case-by-case basis, considering at all times the interests of the residents of East Sussex.”

Despite this, the Conservatives did support the election of a Reform Leader of the council and the Chairman. Cllr Redstone explained the reasoning as being best for democracy and best for an effective administration.

“Reform are clearly the largest party. Were they not to form the administration we as councillors could rightly be seen as trying to subvert the expressed views of the voters. I know that some members have used numbers about the share of totals votes compared to other parties, but our system means that it is seats which count. We therefore felt it right to support Reform in their nominations.

“We also supported a Reform chairman. The alternative would have been a paralysed council. said Cllr Redstone.

“Our approach of constructive opposition means that as Conservatives we will determine on a case-by-case basis whether we vote for or against any policy or motion, or abstain. We will also clearly explain on any such occasion our reasons for doing so”, he added.

Cllr Redstone then spoke about the council’s many newly-elected members, almost two-thirds of councillors in fact. He warned against any who try to proclaim ‘we didn’t realise how bad the situation left to us by the previous administration would be’. Cllr Redstone pointed to the myriad public papers and said it was inexcusable to make promises during an election which you discover cannot then be met means you have not really done your homework.

His advice to new councillors taking decisions was “listen to the officials, certainly question and challenge them – that is your job, but base your decision on evidence rather than dogma.”

In conclusion, Cllr Redstone paid tribute to the previous council Leader, Conservative Keith Glazier who had been a member of the authority since 1997. “He always stressed an approach of ‘one council’ with good communication between all parties”, Cllr Redstone told the meeting. “Yes, we differed on many occasions, but we always tried to reach consensus. Whatever our political differences, residents expect us to work hard, behave responsibly and deliver effective local services. That must now be our shared focus.”


GREENS PLEDGE TO HOLD REFORM UK COUNCIL TO ACCOUNT
Reform takes the helm at East Sussex County Council as Conservatives prop up far-right agenda despite massive election losses

At today's Annual Meeting of East Sussex County Council, Reform UK has secured the position of Leadership of the Council by just one vote despite Reform holding just twenty two out of 50 seats with the three Conservatives supporting Reform to take control of the council.

The result comes just two weeks after East Sussex voters delivered a devastating verdict on 25 years of Conservative administration, reducing the Tories to just three seats. Rather than accepting the clear mandate for change, the Conservative group has chosen to back Reform UK — a party whose national positions on public services, equality and local government stand in stark contrast to the needs of East Sussex communities.

Councillor Julia Hilton, Green Party Leader, said

“Conservative Councillors have handed the County Council to Reform on a plate! Vote Conservative.Get Reform. Their supporters will be furious.”

“We are ready to form an administration together with our Lib Dem colleagues. We put this new administration on notice. When they fail, which they will, we will be ready! It is also shocking to see an all male cabinet, how can eight men represent the needs of and priorities of East Sussex

Reform UK won 22 seats on 7 May, making it the single largest group on the council but far short of the 26 required for a majority. The majority of East Sussex councillors from the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and the Independent opposed this outcome, reflecting the views of the majority of residents 71% who did not vote for Reform.

Councillor Johnny Denis, Green Party Deputy Leader

We will, together with Liberal Democrats, form a robust opposition, scrutinising every decision and fighting to protect public services, equality, and the environment. Residents can be assured that this council will be held to account.



REFORM TAKE CONTROL OF EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL WITH CONSERVATIVE AND INDEPENDENT SUPPORT
Conservative and Independent councillors have supported Reform in taking control of East Sussex County Council. Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr Kathryn Field comments:

“Across the county, more people voted for parties other than Reform. Yet with cynical support from the Conservative rump of three councillors and an Independent councillor, Reform have been able to seize control. It must be clear to voters that to vote Conservative or Independent is to get Reform.

Our country’s voting system means that a party with neither the majority of the seats nor the majority of the votes is running the County Council.

It is notable that there are no women Cabinet Members in Reform’s new administration. This lack of diversity and recognition of skills is a matter of concern, devaluing and constraining women and the contribution they are making to public life.

Liberal Democrats will continue to oppose any moves to take away support from the most vulnerable in our county and we will continue to promote and vote for policies which reflect the concerns of our residents.