Following a controversial Government announcement on 5th February agreeing to cancel elections in East Sussex planned for this May, East Sussex Greens have accused the Conservative Councillors of “trying to kill democracy to save their own political skins”.
A recent protest of more than 50 people outside county hall in Lewes saw East Sussex residents brandishing placards and a cardboard coffin announcing the ‘Death of Democracy’ in efforts to persuade county councillors not to call for the election cancellation. An Emergency Meeting of the County Council called by Green Councillors on the same day also saw impassioned pleas by opposition Councillors to the Conservatives to allow elections to go ahead in May as planned.
Despite the protests, county council leader Keith Glazier wrote to the Minister of State for Local Government requesting that elections should be postponed to ‘give stability’ while government-imposed requirements are put in place. ‘Local Government Reorganisation’ will see local authorities bundled into a single ‘unitary’. The Conservative minority administration is close to losing power following a number of election losses and defections and are currently reliant on the Chair’s casting vote.
Green County Councillor Johnny Denis said: “Clinging on to power for what could be years without an election is a naked power grab that shows contempt for residents and democracy. It’s not too late for the county council to do the right thing and go ahead with elections which are already planned, budgeted for and ready to go. It’s essential that there is a clear and current mandate from local voters so councillors can rightly and fairly speak up for East Sussex in the negotiations and collaborations to come.”
Green County Councillor Wendy Maples said “The seven members of the County Council’s Cabinet are acting purely in their own self-interest, trying to kill democracy to save their own political skins. They are frightened of an election they know they will lose. Green county councillors are ready to stand on their record, be held to account and give voters a real choice for the future. The Conservatives should be too. Let’s not remember May 1st as the day local democracy died in East Sussex.”
Green District Councillor Ezra Cohen said: “The idea that the same old out-of-touch members will give ‘stability’ is nonsense. There’s nothing stable about a minority administration that is shedding support at every turn. The Tories could lose power at the drop of a hat: just one more by-election or defection is all it would take.”
Green Party campaigner Jo Smart said ” When new election arrangements are finally set out, the Green Party will stand a councillor in every area, to offer voters the chance to vote for what matters – our rural community, our environment, and the right to receive the highest quality of services that meet their needs.”
Green Party Councillors, Campaigners and residents from across East Sussex outside County Hall, 9th January 2025