Build, Baby, Build

Build, baby, build

No, today’s Monday Mail isn’t about building. Despite the Prime Minister taking President Trump’s ‘Drill, baby drill’ slogan and adapting it for his own purposes.

In fact I want to say something about building the capacity of the Liberal Democrats as campaigners and advocates for local issues that matter here in Mid Sussex. With the local elections that were scheduled for this May delayed, what are my priorities for this year? 

Well, in simple terms it is to build, or grow, my understanding and knowledge of the things that matter to people right across the constituency. That’s why on Thursday night we had a great meeting in Hassocks for just some of our volunteers sharing what we have been doing since the general election. It’s also about listening to what matters to our volunteers.

Then there is the need to grow our reach. To speak and listen to those who I don’t hear from so often. To find out more about the things that matter, and to take the steps needed to action them. That’s why getting out and knocking on doors as often as possible is so important to me.

Finally it’s about having a growing team of volunteers, finding new helpers, and being a group where people enjoy giving up a little of their time, and get something in return for their efforts. If you would like to get involved - in any way at all, big or small - then please let us know.

I have mentioned this Radio 4 show before, but this week’s Strong Message Here was entitled ‘Build, Baby, Build’, and even had a great segment about why Kemi Badenoch’s focus upon Reform risks missing the challenge that us Liberal Democrats are presenting across many parts of the country. 

Ukraine and European Security

I feel very fortunate to have many talented colleagues on the Liberal Democrat benches. One of them is Mike Martin, the Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells. Mike has been at the Munich Security Conference this week, and gave this excellent interview to Ian Dale from LBC on his thoughts about what has happened, and the Liberal Democrats’ position. 

If you would like something to read on the Liberal Democrats’ approach to foreign policy, then this article in The Mirror last week examined, Why the Liberal Democrats are taking on Trump and Musk.

County Council Elections Delayed - correction

After I wrote last week’s Monday Mail about county council elections being postponed, the Ministry for House, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) clarified the timings for future elections.

Our best working assumption is now that there will be mayoral elections in May 2026, and then in May 2027 elections to a ‘shadow’ unitary authority.

I will share more as and when this becomes clearer.

This blog from the Department sets things out for those who would like to read more.

Getting in touch

My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch.

Best wishes,

Alison

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