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2026 East Sussex County Council election

2026 English local government election From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 East Sussex County Council election took place in 2026 to elect members to East Sussex County Council in East Sussex, England.[2][3] All 50 seats were elected. This was on the same day as other English local elections.

Registered427,014
Turnout203,674
47.7%
Quick facts All 50 seats to East Sussex County Council 26 seats needed for a majority, Registered ...
2026 East Sussex County Council election
← 2021
7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)
2027 (TBD) →
All 50 seats to East Sussex County Council
26 seats needed for a majority
Registered427,014
Turnout203,674
47.7%
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader None Kathryn Field Johnny Denis
Party Reform Liberal Democrats Green
Last election 0 seats, 0.2% 11 seats, 20.9% 4 seats, 14.5%
Seats before 2 11 6
Seats won 22 13 11
Seat change Increase 20 Increase 2 Increase 5
Popular vote 59,648 45,393 41,551
Percentage 30.0% 22.8% 20.9%
Swing Increase 29.8pp Increase 1.9pp Increase 6.4pp
  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
 
Leader Carl Maynard (defeated) Stephen Shing[a] Chris Collier (defeated)
Party Conservative Independent Labour
Last election 27 seats, 42.0% 3 seats, 6.5% 5 seats, 15.2%
Seats before 22[1] 4[b] 5
Seats won 3 1 0
Seat change Decrease 19 Decrease 3 Decrease 5
Popular vote 31,840 7,324 12,268
Percentage 16.0% 3.6% 6.2%
Swing Decrease 26.0pp Decrease 2.9pp Decrease 9.0pp
Winner of each seat at the 2026 East Sussex County Council election.
Leader before election

Keith Glazier
Conservative
No overall control[c]

 Leader after election

Andy Woolley
Reform
No overall control[d]

Close

Prior to the election, the council was under no overall control. The Conservatives were the largest party and ran the council as a minority administration. At this election, the council remained under no overall control. The Conservatives lost most of their seats, only retaining three. Reform UK emerged as the largest party, winning 22 seats, four seats short of an overall majority. At the subsequent annual council meeting on 21 May 2026, the new Reform group leader, Andy Woolley, was appointed leader of the council, running a Reform minority administration. His candidacy was also voted for by the Conservatives and the one independent councillor. He narrowly defeated by one vote a rival bid from the Liberal Democrats and Green Party to have the Liberal Democrat leader, Kathryn Field, appointed as leader of the council instead.[4]

Summary

Background

At the 2021 election, the Conservatives won an outright majority of seats.[5] After two 2023 by-elections following the deaths of sitting Conservative councillors the party lost overall control of the council.[6] The election is expected to be the last before the council is abolished and replaced with new unitary authorities.[7] The election was originally postponed from 2025, then again delayed by another year until the government u-turned and reinstated the elections for 2026.[8]

The Conservatives and Labour Party were expected to be tested heavily due to the growth of Reform UK (notably high polling, a by-election win and a defection from the Conservatives) and the Green Party (who control councils since 2023 in Hastings, Lewes and Wealden) since the last election in 2021. The Liberal Democrats were also strong, controlling councils such as Eastbourne and being the opposition on the county council.[7]

Prior to the election, the leader of the council was Conservative councillor Keith Glazier, who had held the post since 2013. He did not stand for re-election.[9]

Council composition

More information After 2021 election, Before 2026 election ...
After 2021 election Before 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats
Conservative 27 Conservative 22
Liberal Democrats 11 Liberal Democrats 11
Green 4 Green 6
Labour 5 Labour 5
Reform 0 Reform 2
Independent 3 Independent 4[e]
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Changes 2021–2026:

  • April 2023: Rupert Simmons (Conservative) dies – by-election held July 2023[10]
  • June 2023: Barry Taylor (Conservative) dies – by-election held August 2023[11]
  • July 2023: Anne Cross (Green) gains by-election from Conservatives[12]
  • August 2023: Brett Wright (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Conservatives[13]
  • June 2024: Abul Azad (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[14]
  • May 2025: Samuel Adeniji (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[15]
  • September 2025: Peter Pragnell (Conservative) dies – by-election held November 2025[16]
  • November 2025: Aidan Fisher (Reform) gains by-election from Conservatives[17]
  • January 2026: Samuel Adeniji (Independent) joins Reform[18]
  • February 2026: Brett Wright (Liberal Democrats) joins Greens[19]

Summary

Election result

More information Party, Candidates ...
2026 East Sussex County Council election
Party Candidates Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Reform 50 22 21 1 Increase 20 44.0 30.0 59,648 +29.8
  Liberal Democrats 50 13 3 1 Increase 2 26.0 22.8 45,393 +1.9
  Green 50 11 7 2 Increase 5 22.0 20.9 41,551 +6.4
  Conservative 50 3 0 19 Decrease 19 6.0 16.0 31,840 –26.0
  Independent 14 1 0 3 Decrease 3 2.0 3.6 7,324 –2.9
  Labour 41 0 0 5 Decrease 5 0.0 6.2 12,268 –9.0
  Rother Association of Independent Councillors 1 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 0.4 864 N/A
  UKIP 2 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 0.1 114 –0.3
  TUSC 3 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 <0.0 75 N/A
  Heritage 1 0 0 0 Steady 0.0 <0.0 39 ±0.0
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Candidates by authority

Eastbourne

Borough summary

More information Party, Seats ...
Eastbourne borough summary
PartySeats+/-Votes%+/-
Liberal Democrats 7Increase 1 13,672 41.3 –2.0
Reform 1Increase 1 9,463 28.6 +28.4
Conservative 1Decrease 1 5,682 17.2 –21.8
Green 0Decrease 1 3,176 9.6 +3.2
Labour 0Steady 922 2.8 –6.2
Independent 0Steady 113 0.3 –0.3
Heritage 0Steady 39 0.1 N/A
TUSC 0Steady 31 0.1 N/A
UKIP 0Steady 30 0.1 –1.3
Total 9 Steady 33,128 44.0
Registered electors 75,417 –
Close

Incumbents

[20]

More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Devonshire Stephen Holt Liberal Democrats Yes
Hampden Park Colin Swansborough Liberal Democrats Yes
Langney Alan Shuttleworth Liberal Democrats Yes
Meads Brett Wright[f] Green Yes[21]
Old Town John Ungar Liberal Democrats No
Ratton Colin Belsey Conservative Yes
St Anthony's David Tutt Liberal Democrats No[22]
Sovereign Penny Di Cara Conservative Yes
Upperton Pat Rodohan Liberal Democrats No
Close

Division results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Devonshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Stephen Holt* 1,520 44.0 −0.4
Reform Chris Pettitt 905 26.2 N/A
Green Mike Dickens 493 14.3 +5.3
Conservative Daniel de Rozarieux 297 8.6 −18.1
Labour Co-op Paul Richards 186 5.4 −10.8
Independent Keith Gell 51 1.5 N/A
Majority
Turnout 3,458 35.3 +7.6
Registered electors 9,799
Liberal Democrats hold
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Hampden Park
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Colin Swansborough* 1,275 44.6 +3.7
Reform Bernard Tominey 959 33.5 N/A
Conservative Moz Hussain 248 8.7 −22.0
Green Zuza Zak 223 7.8 +0.6
Labour Margaret Robinson 93 3.3 −11.1
Independent Dave Poole 62 2.2 N/A
Majority 316 11.1 +0.9
Turnout 2,869 37.5 +7.3
Registered electors 7,654
Liberal Democrats hold
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Langney
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Alan Shuttleworth* 1,396 49.8 −14.2
Reform Mike McCarthy 1,009 36.0 N/A
Conservative Nick Ansell 196 7.0 −18.1
Green Carla Sheppard 132 4.7 +1.9
Labour Angela Goodchild 39 1.4 −4.4
UKIP Ian Garbutt 30 1.1 −1.2
Majority 387 13.8 –25.1
Turnout 2,805 36.6 +6.7
Registered electors 7,666
Liberal Democrats hold
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Meads
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jack Morrell 1,553 34.3 −5.7
Conservative Robert Smart 1,110 24.5 −21.1
Reform Peter Bucklitsch 1,054 23.3 +20.9
Green Brett Wright* 682 15.1 +9.0
Labour Dennis Scard 129 2.8 +3.1
Majority 443 9.8 N/A
Turnout 4,538 53.1 +7.4
Registered electors 8,539
Liberal Democrats gain from Green Swing Increase7.7
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Old Town
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Peter Diplock 2,461 57.8 +8.6
Reform James Norris 787 18.5 N/A
Conservative Jessica Gisby 475 11.2 −18.3
Green Pauline von Hellermann 403 9.5 +0.4
Labour Dave Brinson 93 2.2 −10.0
Heritage Martine Horvath 39 0.9 N/A
Majority 1,674 39.3 +19.6
Turnout 4265 51.7 +7.8
Registered electors 8,243
Liberal Democrats hold
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Ratton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Colin Belsey* 1,174 32.4 −23.8
Liberal Democrats Jim Murray 1,134 31.3 −1.2
Reform David Alfred 993 27.4 N/A
Green Ben Burbridge 239 6.6 +2.2
Labour Gary Fry 86 2.4 −4.5
Majority 40 1.1 –22.6
Turnout 3,638 50.1 +7.7
Registered electors 7,266
Conservative hold Swing Decrease11.3
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Sovereign
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Roy Peche 1,617 38.0 N/A
Conservative Penny Di Cara* 1,212 28.5 −30.2
Liberal Democrats Tom Nevill 1,041 24.5 −3.9
Green Eniko Kalo 268 6.3 +2.1
Labour John Sailing 113 2.7 −3.5
Majority 405 9.5 N/A
Turnout 4,260 45.9 +8.5
Registered electors 9,284
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
St Anthony's
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Hugh Parker 1,472 41.2 −10.3
Reform Dave Watt 1,224 34.2 N/A
Conservative Rosie Moon 477 13.3 −20.8
Green John Shuttle 297 8.3 +3.0
Labour John Lambert 76 2.1 −4.6
TUSC Anthony Bracuti 31 0.9 N/A
Majority 248 7.0 –10.0
Turnout 3,588 42.7 +9.4
Registered electors 8,396
Liberal Democrats hold
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Upperton
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Kathy Ballard 1,820 48.2 +3.0
Reform Colin Akers 915 24.2 N/A
Conservative Carolann van Dinter 493 13.1 −21.2
Green Yasin Salazar 439 11.6 +2.8
Labour Lisa Gillette 107 2.8 −5.7
Majority 905 24.0 +13.2
Turnout 3,780 44.1 +5.8
Registered electors 8,570
Liberal Democrats hold
Close

Hastings

Borough summary

More information Party, Seats ...
Hastings borough summary
PartySeats+/-Votes%+/-
Green 6Increase 5 12,839 43.3 +25.6
Reform 2Increase 1 7,679 25.9 N/A
Labour 0Decrease 3 4,790 16.2 –21.3
Conservative 0Decrease 3 3,045 10.3 –28.6
Liberal Democrats 0Steady 1,286 4.3 –1.0
Total 8 Steady 29,296 44.3
Registered electors 66,076 –
Close

Incumbents

[23]

More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Ashdown & Conquest Aidan Fisher[g] Reform Yes
Baird & Ore Alan Hay Conservative No
Braybrooke & Castle Godfrey Daniel Labour No
Central St Leonards & Gensing Trevor Webb Labour No
Hollington & Wishing Tree Phil Scott Labour No
Maze Hill & West St Leonards Matthew Beaver Conservative Yes
Old Hastings & Tressell Julia Hilton Green Yes
St Helens & Silverhill Sorrell Marlow-Eastwood Conservative No
Close

Division results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Ashdown & Conquest
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Aidan Fisher* 1,246 36.0 N/A
Green Paula Warne 835 24.1 +15.4
Conservative Roger Streeten 728 21.0 −38.8
Labour Co-op Louise Chantal 447 12.9 −10.5
Liberal Democrats Stewart Rayment 208 6.0 −2.7
Majority 411 11.9 −24.5
Turnout 3478 42.5 −0.8
Registered electors 8,175
Reform hold Swing 37.4
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Baird & Ore
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Jo Walker 1,429 44.5 +33.7
Reform Jack McCree 991 30.9 N/A
Labour Co-op Kim Forward 364 11.3 −26.6
Conservative Liam Atkins 305 9.5 −38.6
Liberal Democrats Martin Griffiths 123 3.8 +0.6
Majority 438 13.6 +3.4
Turnout 3253 41.6 +2.8
Registered electors 7,819
Green gain from Conservative Swing 36.15
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Braybrooke & Castle
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Becca Horn 2,577 60.0 +39.0
Reform Peter Clarke 701 16.3 N/A
Labour Josh Matthews 623 14.5 −35.1
Conservative Paul Foster 259 6.0 −17.3
Liberal Democrats Stephen Milton 134 3.1 −3.0
Majority 1876 43.7 +17.4
Turnout 4311 48.0 +4.7
Registered electors 8,972
Green gain from Labour Swing 37.06
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Central St Leonards & Gensing
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Amanda Jobson 2,556 59.3 +33.7
Reform Philip Morgan 736 17.1 N/A
Labour Co-op Trevor Redmond 626 14.5 −30.3
Conservative Caroline Kerswell 206 4.8 −18.5
Liberal Democrats Anne Gallop 184 4.3 −2.0
Majority 1820 42.2 +23.1
Turnout 4328 43.8 +4.8
Registered electors 9,874
Green gain from Labour Swing 32.0
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Hollington & Wishing Tree
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Mark Estcourt 1,055 38.8 N/A
Labour John Rankin 651 24.0 −26.4
Green Justin Wynne 546 20.1 +12.1
Conservative Stephen Butterton 314 11.6 −25.7
Liberal Democrats Terry Keen 151 5.6 +1.3
Majority 404 14.8 +1.7
Turnout 2731 34.1 −0.3
Registered electors 8,007
Reform gain from Labour Swing 32.6
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Maze Hill & West St Leonards
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Karen Simnett 1,218 34.8 +21.6
Reform Derek Lawrence 1,031 29.4 N/A
Labour Anna Sabin 657 18.8 −7.5
Conservative Matthew Beaver* 490 14.0 −39.9
Liberal Democrats Bruce Meredeen 105 3.0 −3.7
Majority 187 5.4 −22.1
Turnout 3523 46.1 +0.3
Registered electors 7,647
Green gain from Conservative Swing 30.75
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Old Hastings & Tressell
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Julia Hilton* 2,017 54.1 +16.4
Reform Yoong Kam 794 21.3 N/A
Labour James Bacon 677 18.2 −15.7
Conservative Andrew Patmore 165 4.4 −21.0
Liberal Democrats Donna Harris 75 2.0 −1.0
Majority 1223 32.8 +29.0
Turnout 3734 49.4 +4.6
Registered electors 7,546
Green hold Swing 17.1
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
St Helens & Silverhill
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Shaun Dowling 1,152 29.5 +17.1
Reform Sean Clarke 1,125 28.8 N/A
Labour Co-op Margi O'Callaghan 745 19.1 −15.9
Conservative Howard Martin 578 14.8 −32.1
Liberal Democrats Bob Lloyd 306 7.8 +2.1
Majority 27 0.7 −11.2
Turnout 3938 49.0 −4.8
Registered electors 8,036
Green gain from Conservative Swing 49.2
Close

Lewes

District summary

More information Party, Seats ...
Lewes district summary
PartySeats+/-Votes%+/-
Liberal Democrats 4Increase 1 13,310 32.8 +7.0
Green 3Increase 1 10,460 25.8 +1.7
Reform 2Increase 1 9,657 23.8 N/A
Conservative 0Decrease 1 4,724 11.6 –22.1
Labour 0Decrease 2 2,419 6.0 –9.0
Total 8 Steady 40,678 51.7
Registered electors 78,680 –
Close

Incumbents

[24]

More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Chailey Matthew Milligan Conservative No
Lewes Wendy Maples Green Yes
Newhaven & Bishopstone James MacCleary Liberal Democrats No
Ouse Valley West & Downs Sarah Osborne Liberal Democrats Yes
Peacehaven Chris Collier Labour No
Ringmer & Lewes Bridge Johnny Denis Green Yes
Seaford North Sam Adeniji[h] Reform Yes
Seaford South Carolyn Lambert Liberal Democrats Yes
Telscombe Christine Robinson Labour No
Close

Division results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Chailey
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Charlotte Keenan 1,802 38.1 −0.8
Reform Elizabeth Graham-Dixon 1,137 24.1 N/A
Conservative Isabelle Linington 1,114 23.6 −16.5
Liberal Democrats Marion Hughes 573 12.1 −3.3
Labour Tim Embleton-Archard 101 2.1 −2.5
Majority
Turnout 4,743 53.1 +6.2
Registered electors 8,927
Green gain from Conservative Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Wendy Maples* 2,600 49.6 +6.2
Liberal Democrats Kevin West 2,072 39.5 +10.8
Reform Lorraine Crawley 398 7.6 N/A
Conservative William Webb 174 3.3 −8.3
Majority
Turnout 5,255 63.8 +8.3
Registered electors 8,242
Green hold Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Newhaven & Bishopstone[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Lesley Boniface 2,059 49.4 +9.9
Reform Archie Wilson 1,315 31.5 N/A
Green Emily O'Brien 361 8.7 +1.7
Conservative Catherine Boorman 339 8.1 −30.9
Labour Joe Moughrabi 95 2.3 −4.6
Majority
Turnout 4,183 46.4 +15.3
Registered electors 9,020
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Ouse Valley West & Downs
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Sarah Osborne* 2,134 52.9 +1.8
Reform Steve Kemsley 861 21.4 N/A
Green Paul Keene 537 13.3 +4.6
Conservative Wilfred Heasman-O'Neill 500 12.4 −21.5
Majority
Turnout 4,046 51.3 +8.7
Registered electors 7,888
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Peacehaven
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Pedro Tracy 1,322 35.4 N/A
Labour Paul Davies 905 24.2 −22.3
Conservative Nigel Enever 725 19.4 −25.2
Green Andy Chapman 541 14.5 +11.1
Liberal Democrats Harry Garoghan 241 6.5 +3.8
Majority
Turnout 3,746 41.4 +7.2
Registered electors 9,040
Reform gain from Labour Swing
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Ringmer & Lewes Bridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Johnny Denis* 2,263 42.0 −8.5
Liberal Democrats Janet Baah 1,869 34.7 +9.1
Reform Mark O'Neill 767 14.2 N/A
Conservative Richard Turner 385 7.2 −11.4
Labour Ros Brewer 99 1.8 −3.5
Majority
Turnout 5,386 58.3 +7.8
Registered electors 9,246
Green hold Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Seaford North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jane Reeves 1,629 33.4 +18.6
Reform Sam Adeniji* 1,526 31.2 −19.2
Green Ezra Cohen 1,284 26.3 +0.4
Conservative Liz Boorman 445 9.1 −41.3
Majority
Turnout 4,899 55.9 +14.7
Registered electors 8,771
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Seaford South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Carolyn Lambert* 2,439 55.0 +9.2
Reform Bill Payne 1,019 23.0 N/A
Green Becky Francomb 474 10.7 +1.5
Conservative Tam Large 391 8.8 −26.7
Labour Christopher Purser 108 2.4 −7.1
Majority
Turnout 4,441 50.9 +9.8
Registered electors 8,723
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
Close
More information Party, Candidate ...
Telscombe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Stephen Chapman 1,312 33.1 N/A
Labour Nikki Fabry 1,111 28.0 −17.0
Conservative Sarah Webster 651 16.4 −26.3
Green Phily Day 598 15.1 +9.1
Liberal Democrats Shaun Boniface 294 7.4 +1.1
Majority
Turnout 3,979 45.1 +10.2
Registered electors 8,823
Reform gain from Labour Swing
Close

Rother

District summary

More information Party, Seats ...
Rother district Summary
PartySeats+/-Votes%+/-
Reform 7Increase 7 11,428 32.0 +31.7
Conservative 1Decrease 5 7,859 22.0 –26.9
Liberal Democrats 1Steady 5,664 15.8 +4.7
Green 0Steady 4,546 12.7 +6.4
Labour 0Steady 2,779 7.8 –7.9
Independent 0Decrease 2 2,583 7.2 –10.1
RAOIC 0Steady 864 2.4 N/A
TUSC 0Steady 44 0.1 N/A
Total 9 Steady 35,847 47.8
Registered electors 75,057 –
Close

Incumbents

[26]

More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Battle & Crowhurst Kathryn Field Liberal Democrats Yes[27]
Bexhill East Charles Clark Independent Yes
Bexhill North Abul Azad[i] Independent Yes
Bexhill South Ian Hollidge Conservative Yes
Bexhill West Nuala Geary Conservative No
Brede Valley & Marsham Carl Maynard Conservative Yes
Northern Rother Paul Redstone Conservative Yes
Rother North West Eleanor Kirby-Green Conservative Yes
Rye & Eastern Rother Keith Glazier Conservative No
Close

Division results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Battle & Crowhurst
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Kathryn Field* 1,736 45.6 −7.7
Reform Austin Henderson 1,098 28.8 N/A
Conservative Pam Doodes 468 12.3 −25.1
Green Nicky Bishop 383 10.1 N/A
Labour Marcus Kent 124 3.3 −6.0
Majority 638 16.8 +1.0
Turnout 3,823 48.6 +7.1
Registered electors 7,874
Liberal Democrats hold
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Bexhill East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Martin Kenward 1,267 35.7 N/A
Independent Charles Clark* 604 17.0 −12.3
Green Tina Neale 502 14.1 −0.4
Conservative Simon Elford 441 12.4 −16.2
Labour Gareth Delany 379 10.7 −1.7
Liberal Democrats Bill Goddard 208 5.9 N/A
Independent Tim Gordon 128 3.6 N/A
TUSC Jordan Beeney 23 0.6 N/A
Majority 663 18.7 N/A
Turnout 3,562 41.6 +10.5
Registered electors 8,565
Reform gain from Independent
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Bexhill North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Donald Walmsley 1,056 30.9 N/A
RAOIC Abul Azad* 864 25.3 N/A
Conservative Paul Peters 484 14.2 −43.5
Liberal Democrats Jimmy Stanger 410 12.0 +2.4
Green Chris Glenn 267 7.8 N/A
Labour Mark Legg 185 5.4 −27.4
Independent Sharon Blagrove 152 4.4 N/A
Majority 192 5.6 N/A
Turnout 3,422 41.0 +7.4
Registered electors 8,356
Reform gain from Independent
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Bexhill South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Victoria Carson 1,333 31.3 N/A
Conservative Ian Hollidge* 978 23.0 −17.0
Green Arren Rathbone-Ariel 825 19.4 N/A
Labour Christine Bayliss 704 16.5 −6.2
Liberal Democrats Mark Hobden 218 5.1 N/A
Independent Michelle Fairbrass 199 4.7 N/A
Majority 355 8.3 N/A
Turnout 4,267 43.8 +8.1
Registered electors 9,751
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Bexhill West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Pete Morley 1,647 33.0 N/A
Independent Connor Winter 1,307 26.2 N/A
Conservative Joe Carter 1,047 21.0 −21.8
Green Timothy Fenner 388 7.8 N/A
Liberal Democrats Rory Llewelyn 334 6.7 −2.9
Labour Ruairi McCourt 273 5.5 −5.2
Majority 340 6.8 N/A
Turnout 5,002 52.6 +9.0
Registered electors 9,519
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Brede Valley & Marsham
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Daniel Lach 1,483 35.8 +33.5
Conservative Carl Maynard* 1,100 26.6 −26.8
Liberal Democrats Beverley Coupar 869 21.0 N/A
Green Reece Honeywell 447 10.8 N/A
Labour Imogen Pollard 242 5.8 −5.4
Majority 383 9.2 N/A
Turnout 4,147 50.6 +7.9
Registered electors 8,110
Reform gain from Conservative Swing Increase30.2
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Northern Rother
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Paul Redstone* 1,216 32.3 −27.4
Reform Jonathan Jennings 1,162 30.9 N/A
Liberal Democrats Stephen Hardy 778 20.7 −7.9
Green Andrew Wedmore 408 10.8 N/A
Labour Jeannie Eason 197 5.2 −6.5
Majority 54 1.4 –29.7
Turnout 3,769 50.6 +9.3
Registered electors 7,455
Conservative hold
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Rother North West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Mark Ashdown 1,196 31.3 N/A
Conservative Eleanor Kirby-Green* 1,169 30.6 −35.2
Liberal Democrats Mary Varrall 800 21.0 N/A
Green Jonathan Kent 526 13.8 −7.9
Labour Tim MacPherson 125 3.3 −5.4
Majority 27 0.7 N/A
Turnout 3,824 50.8 +12.7
Registered electors 7,525
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Rye & Eastern Rother
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Dan Bradley 1,186 29.5 N/A
Conservative Sally-Ann Hart 956 23.8 −31.5
Green Dominic Manning 800 19.9 −4.6
Labour Amanda Pollard 550 13.7 −6.5
Liberal Democrats Andrew Mier 311 7.7 N/A
Independent Jimmy Hyatt 193 4.8 N/A
TUSC Pete McLaren 21 0.5 N/A
Majority 230 5.7 N/A
Turnout 4,031 51.0 +10.2
Registered electors 7,902
Reform gain from Conservative
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Wealden

District summary

More information Party, Seats ...
Wealden district summary
PartySeats+/-Votes%+/-
Reform 10Increase 10 21,421 33.3 N/A
Green 2Steady 10,530 16.4 +0.6
Conservative 1Decrease 9 14,886 23.2 –23.8
Liberal Democrats 1Steady 11,461 17.8 –0.1
Independent 1Decrease 1 4,538 7.1 –3.4
Labour 0Steady 1,518 2.1 –5.9
UKIP 0Steady 84 0.1 –0.3
Total 15 Steady 64,652 49.1
Registered electors 131,784 –
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Incumbents

[28]

More information Ward, Incumbent councillor ...
Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Arlington, East Hoathly & Hellingly Nick Bennett Conservative Yes
Crowborough North &
Jarvis Brook		 Johanna Howell Conservative No
Crowborough South &
St John's		 Philip Lunn Conservative No
Forest Row & Groombridge Georgia Taylor Green Yes
Hailsham Market Steve Murphy Liberal Democrats Yes
Hailsham New Town Gerard Fox Conservative No
Heathfield & Mayfield Anne Cross[j] Green No
Maresfield & Buxted Roy Galley Conservative Yes
Pevensey & Stone Cross Tom Liddiard Conservative Yes
Polegate & Watermill Daniel Shing Independent Yes
Uckfield North Claire Dowling Conservative Yes
Uckfield South with Framfield Chris Dowling Conservative Yes
Wealden East Bob Bowdler Conservative Yes
Wealden North East Bob Standley Conservative No
Willingdon & South Downs Stephen Shing Independent Yes
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Division results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Arlington, East Hoathly & Hellingly
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform William Boone 1,784 37.8 N/A
Conservative Nick Bennett* 1,176 24.9 −31.2
Green Ricardo Canha 835 17.7 +8.2
Liberal Democrats Laura Murphy 789 16.7 +6.7
Labour Brendan Clagg 133 2.8 −17.9
Majority 608 12.9 N/A
Turnout 4,742 46.4 –8.1
Registered electors 10,220
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Crowborough North & Jarvis Brook
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Catherine Fielding 1,804 37.9 N/A
Liberal Democrats Bev Johnstone 1,414 29.7 −2.9
Conservative Jeannette Towey 1,120 23.5 −10.2
Green Nigel Fox 427 9.0 −0.7
Majority 390 8.2 N/A
Turnout 4,776 51.6 +14.0
Registered electors 9,258
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Crowborough South & St John's
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Sarah Jury 1,742 36.3 N/A
Conservative Andrew Wilson 1,233 25.7 −30.0
Liberal Democrats Alison Arthur 1,166 24.3 +1.1
Green Martyn Everitt 376 7.8 −3.9
Independent Neil Waller 282 5.9 N/A
Majority 509 10.6 N/A
Turnout 4,800 55.1 +19.3
Registered electors 8,717
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Forest Row & Groombridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Georgia Taylor* 1,863 42.4 −15.7
Conservative Edward Butler 1,163 26.5 −15.4
Reform Andrew Joad 1,091 24.8 N/A
Liberal Democrats Julia Chowaniec 278 6.3 N/A
Majority 700 15.9 –0.3
Turnout 4,408 54.3 +6.2
Registered electors 8,121
Green hold Swing Decrease0.2
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Hailsham Market
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Neil Cleaver 1,455 43.2 N/A
Liberal Democrats Steve Murphy* 1,099 32.7 −27.4
Conservative Jordan Beech 456 13.5 −22.2
Green Ali Stevens 356 10.6 N/A
Majority 356 10.5 N/A
Turnout 3,386 38.2 +8.6
Registered electors 8,864
Reform gain from Liberal Democrats
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Hailsham New Town
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Paul Soane 1,192 34.0 N/A
Liberal Democrats Gavin Blake-Coggins 800 22.8 −7.4
Independent Barry Carpenter 768 21.9 N/A
Conservative Trevor Botting 500 14.3 −33.3
Green Simon Wells 248 7.1 N/A
Majority 392 11.2 N/A
Turnout 3,524 40.2 +8.4
Registered electors 8,774
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Heathfield & Mayfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Andy Woolley 1,480 32.4 N/A
Conservative Teresa Blaxland 1,288 28.2 −31.0
Green Jessika Hulbert 1,222 26.7 +8.2
Liberal Democrats Anne Blake-Coggins 403 8.8 −1.6
Labour Steve Taylor 177 3.9 −7.7
Majority 192 4.2 N/A
Turnout 4,605 51.0 +14.6
Registered electors 9,034
Reform gain from Green
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Maresfield & Buxted
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Christina Coleman 1,754 33.4 +15.7
Conservative Roy Galley* 1,752 33.3 −29.1
Reform Gary Johnson 1,371 26.1 N/A
Liberal Democrats Tim Murray 380 7.2 −4.4
Majority 2 0.1 N/A
Turnout 5,271 56.8 +15.5
Registered electors 9,274
Green gain from Conservative Swing Increase22.4
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Pevensey & Stone Cross
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Roger Lincoln 1,490 41.7 N/A
Liberal Democrats Mark Fairweather 941 26.4 −2.9
Conservative Tom Liddard* 658 18.4 −31.7
Green Xander Gottlieb 278 7.8 N/A
Labour Lee Comfort 118 3.3 N/A
UKIP Mike Pursglove 84 2.4 −6.0
Majority 549 15.3 N/A
Turnout 3,585 45.5 +13.0
Registered electors 7,887
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Polegate & Watermill
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Mickey Caira 1,466 35.5 N/A
Independent Daniel Shing* 1,420 34.4 −19.9
Liberal Democrats Katrina Best 498 12.1 +7.1
Conservative James Heward 398 9.6 −19.7
Green Debbie Lillington 253 6.1 +1.5
Labour Jake Lambert 95 2.3 −4.6
Majority 46 1.1 N/A
Turnout 4,138 43.1 +8.0
Registered electors 9,612
Reform gain from Independent
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Uckfield North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Kelvin Williams 1,113 31.6 −6.5
Reform John Rhodes 1,082 30.7 N/A
Conservative Claire Dowling* 785 22.3 −26.5
Green Michelle Coates 407 11.5 −1.6
Labour Dylan Underhill 138 3.9 N/A
Majority 31 0.9 N/A
Turnout 3,531 48.6 +11.9
Registered electors 7,273
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Uckfield South with Framfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Peter Griffiths 1,322 32.9 N/A
Conservative Christopher Dowling* 1,017 25.3 −22.3
Liberal Democrats Kathy Butler 836 20.8 +4.1
Green Linda Churnside 487 12.1 N/A
Labour Co-op Ben Cox 362 9.0 −26.6
Majority 305 7.6 N/A
Turnout 4,038 50.9 +10.0
Registered electors 7,931
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Wealden East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform Stephen Potts 1,925 37.5 N/A
Conservative Bob Bowdler* 1,378 26.9 −22.7
Green Velvet Mason 1,072 20.9 −22.3
Liberal Democrats Tracey Lovewell 452 8.8 N/A
Labour Barry Simons 171 3.3 −3.9
Independent Laurence Keeley 129 2.5 N/A
Majority 547 10.6 N/A
Turnout 5,143 51.8 +8.9
Registered electors 9,931
Reform gain from Conservative
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Wealden North East
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Lunn 1,457 34.9 −15.3
Reform Michael Barrett 1,037 24.8 N/A
Green Ben Sherlock 652 15.6 +1.4
Liberal Democrats Barbara Taylor 451 10.8 −11.2
Independent Serena Gadd 321 7.7 N/A
Labour James Walker 259 6.2 −7.3
Majority 420 10.1 –18.1
Turnout 4,189 51.2 +11.2
Registered electors 8,186
Conservative hold
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More information Party, Candidate ...
Willingdon & South Downs
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Stephen Shing* 1,618 35.9 −18.5
Reform Ben Smith 1,180 26.2 N/A
Liberal Democrats Dionne Daniel 841 18.7 +9.2
Conservative Nicholas Taylor 505 11.2 −24.9
Green David Goulson 300 6.7 N/A
Labour Paul Hunt 65 1.4 N/A
Majority 438 9.7 –8.6
Turnout 4,516 51.9 +5.4
Registered electors 8,702
Independent hold
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Notes

  1. [a]
    Leader of the Independent Democrats group.
  2. [b]
    Of the 4 Independent councillors before the election, 2 sat in the Independent Democrats group and 2 were non-aligned.
  3. [c]
    Conservative minority.
  4. [d]
    Reform minority.
  5. [e]
    2 councillors sit as part of the Independent Democrats group.
  6. [f]
    Originally elected as a Liberal Democrat at the 2023 Meads by-election; later defected to the Green Party.
  7. [g]
    Elected at the 2025 Ashdown & Conquest by-election.
  8. [h]
    Originally elected as a Conservative, but later defected to Reform.
  9. [i]
    Originally elected as a Conservative, but later left the party to sit as an Independent.
  10. [j]
    Elected at the 2023 Heathfield & Mayfield by-election.

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