Liberal Democrat MPs John Milne (Horsham), Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) and Jess Brown-Fuller (Chichester) joined a protest on Monday, outside West Sussex County Hall in Chichester to oppose the postponement of elections for the second year.
The government has given county councils the option to request a postponement, and West Sussex’s Conservative administration has confirmed it has taken up the offer and formally requested another delay.
The elections were originally scheduled for May 2024.
Mr Milne said: “A further election delay would be a denial of democracy.
“Residents across West Sussex have been clear that they want their say, and they won’t accept this power grab.
“In December, we were assured postponement would go no further, yet here we are again.
“This back-and-forth decision-making is completely inconsistent and shows just how shambolic the entire reorganisation process has become.
“The present Conservative leadership in West Sussex County Council no longer represents Sussex residents, and clearly, most of them would lose their seats if it were put to the vote.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us outside County Hall to make their voices heard.
“This protest shows the strength of feeling among local residents who refuse to accept this denial of their democratic rights.”
Mr Milne also criticised what he described as a double standard in Conservative messaging, pointing out that while the party criticises the national government for delaying mayoral and council elections, the Conservative-run West Sussex County Council is now supporting a further postponement.
The protest gathered residents and campaigners who say the continued delays undermine public trust and accountability.
Mr Milne said the ongoing delays highlight what he called a “shambolic” reorganisation process.
Liberal Democrat MPs John Milne (Horsham), Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) and Jess Brown-Fuller (Chichester) joined a protest on Monday, outside West Sussex County Hall in Chichester to oppose the postponement of elections for the second year.
The government has given county councils the option to request a postponement, and West Sussex’s Conservative administration has confirmed it has taken up the offer and formally requested another delay.
The elections were originally scheduled for May 2024.
Mr Milne said: “A further election delay would be a denial of democracy.
“Residents across West Sussex have been clear that they want their say, and they won’t accept this power grab.
“In December, we were assured postponement would go no further, yet here we are again.
“This back-and-forth decision-making is completely inconsistent and shows just how shambolic the entire reorganisation process has become.
“The present Conservative leadership in West Sussex County Council no longer represents Sussex residents, and clearly, most of them would lose their seats if it were put to the vote.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us outside County Hall to make their voices heard.
“This protest shows the strength of feeling among local residents who refuse to accept this denial of their democratic rights.”
Mr Milne also criticised what he described as a double standard in Conservative messaging, pointing out that while the party criticises the national government for delaying mayoral and council elections, the Conservative-run West Sussex County Council is now supporting a further postponement.
The protest gathered residents and campaigners who say the continued delays undermine public trust and accountability.
Mr Milne said the ongoing delays highlight what he called a “shambolic” reorganisation process.
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