Independent Sussex News

  One of the most important jobs for a new Mayor of Sussex will be to SELL, SELL, SELL the benefits of our county as a place for businesses to invest. When companies choose Sussex, we gain jobs, prosperity, local growth, and vital income from business rates, all of which strengthen our communities. In many ways, Sussex already has the advantage over other parts of the UK. We’re close to London, with Gatwick Airport on our patch and busy ports at Newhaven and Shoreham connecting us to Europe. We offer a fantastic quality of life with vibrant towns and cities, beautiful countryside, and some of the country’s best schools and universities. So why aren’t we already overwhelmed by businesses wanting to come here? The truth is, there’s been no single person selling Sussex to the world. That’s something I would change from day one. As Mayor, I’d lead an energetic campaign to promote Sussex internationally as the best place in Britain to invest and live. But attracting business isn’t just ...

Martin Webb, local businessman, philanthropist, and Independent candidate for Sussex Mayor, has unveiled a bold yet practical policy designed to protect local taxpayers while strengthening the county’s economy: a “modest visitor charge” for tourists staying in Sussex. Webb, already being described by supporters as “ the Best Mayor for Sussex ”, believes the proposal is both fair and necessary. He argues that while tourism brings vitality to Sussex’s economy, the hidden costs of hosting millions of visitors are being unfairly shouldered by local residents. “Visitors bring a lot of business to Sussex – and we’re proud of that,” Webb said in a recent statement. “Tourism supports thousands of jobs and keeps our high streets vibrant. But it also brings added costs. Cleaning beaches, emptying bins, maintaining toilets, and repairing infrastructure all fall to councils – and right now, council taxpayers are picking up the bill, even when they don’t directly benefit. That’s not fair.” The prop...

Martin Webb , "Before I started running for Mayor, I set up several successful multi-million pound businesses in Sussex, employing hundreds of people. I want to use my business skills to save tax payers' money and make Sussex the best place to live, work, study and invest in!" Follow Martin Webb on Facebook .

A man arrested in Brighton earlier this year on suspicion of a child sex offence has been named in multiple reports as Ivor Caplin, a former Labour MP and defence minister. Arrest and Bail. On 11 January 2025, Sussex Police detained a 66-year-old man on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communications with a child. The arrest was filmed and circulated widely on social media, sparking public discussion. A Sussex Police spokeswoman confirmed at the time: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing a man in Brighton being detained on suspicion of engaging in online sexual communications with a child. This is an ongoing and active investigation.” The man was later released on bail. Police have since extended that bail several times, with the latest extension requiring him to return on 21 October 2025. To date, no charges have been announced. Caplin has denied wrongdoing. Ivor Caplin Political Career. Ivor Caplin represented Hove as a Labour MP from 1997 to 2005, after...

The government has set a target of 1.5 million new homes during this parliament, which has led to a surge in applications to build on rural greenfield sites across Sussex. Our villages and towns are in real danger of being engulfed by an urban sprawl of identikit homes, with the character of our county and its biodiversity changing forever. Let’s be clear - we need more homes, but once farmers’ fields disappear to make way for houses, roads, or solar farms, they’re gone forever, with a huge impact on the environment, nature, and our ability to grow our own food. The CPRE (Campaign for Rural England) recently reported that there are enough brownfield sites across the UK to meet our demand for new homes – this means land that has previously been built on, often in urban areas – and over 50% of these locations already have planning permission. The problem is that developers prefer to build on green fields. It’s cheaper, easier and more profitable for them. As Mayor, I would establish a Ra...

Vote Martin Webb – The People’s Mayor. contact@martinwebb.com instagram.com/martinwebb4sussex tiktok.com/@martin4sussexmayor martin4sussex https://www.martinwebb.com/ Find Martin Webb on Facebook. Martin Webb for Sussex Mayor