Cllr Alison Bennett selected as Mid Sussex Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Real change for the better in Mid Sussex is possible, says Alison Bennett, Mid Sussex Parliamentary Candidate.

Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats have selected Cllr Alison Bennett as their prospective parliamentary candidate for the Mid Sussex parlimentary constituency. Alison is a Mid Sussex District Councillor for Hurstpierpoint and is leader of the Liberal Democrats, who are the largest opposition group on the Council.

Alison says: "I am ambitious for Mid Sussex. It is a wonderful place to live, but there is so much scope to make it even better, by ensuring we have thriving high streets, decent housing that is genuinely affordable, and by looking after unique landscapes.

Alison's recent successes have included:

• forcing the Conservatives to rethink their unworkable plans for the District Plan Review
• bringing in fixed penalty notices for fly tippers
• fundraising to support the Red Cross's work with refugees
• leading the South East Liberal Democrats' opposition to expansion at Gatwick Airport

After a successful career in business, Alison moved to Mid Sussex in 2012 to raise her family. She joined the Liberal Democrats in 2015 and four years later caused a major upset when she was elected as a district councillor in what had historically been considered a 'safe' Conservative area. In the same year, Alison was the General Election candidate for Arundel and South Downs, where she more than doubled the Liberal Democrat vote, and took the party from third place to a clear second.

Alison adds: "Mid Sussex is no longer a 'safe' area for the Conservatives. I joined the Liberal Democrats when all 54 seats on Mid Sussex District Council were held by the Conservatives. Seven years later, the Conservatives are now just four seats away from losing control of the Council. If the Boundary Commission for England's proposals go ahead, then the parliamentary seat becomes a real target for the Liberal Democrats. With more and more people demanding change, Mid Sussex is a part of the 'blue wall' that I intend to turn yellow."