Since the announcement of local government reorganisation in December 2024, the process of consultations surrounding the replacement of local districts with single unitary authorities has been undergoing, and while delayed elections have led to confusion surrounding what the outcomes will look like, we firmly believe the One East Sussex Plan is the only economically and politically viable option.

This plan, as the East Sussex County Council and vast majority of district councillors agree, would allow for better connectivity and improved public services, while saving 64 million pounds in the first five years for its implementation. While this plan would respect political boundaries and local identities, Brighton & Hove have, alternatively, proposed an economically disastrous alternative, to create five unitary authorities across Sussex and Brighton & Hove. This would chop areas that have been geographically, culturally and historically linked for years into disorganised districts, including Lewes,  an economically unviable option with none of the benefits of the One East Sussex Plan.

While the Tories keep delaying our elections, resulting in confusion surrounding the future of local government organisation, we hope the sensible choice of implementing the One Sussex Plan instead of Brighton & Hove's five-district alternative is made.