Labour’s First Secretary of State and Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry MP told a full house of supporters at a Labour fundraising dinner in Hassocks (last Thursday) that the time is right for major political change in Sussex as people want more radical policies to ensure wealth is more equally distributed and services improved in the South East.

Supporters from across Sussex, including the now marginal East Worthing and Shoreham seat, came to the fundraiser and heard Emily Thornberry enthuse about winning more seats in the area. “I am a South East girl – born in Guildford and I grew up on a council estate. People make assumptions that everyone has money in the South but that’s not the case and I know there are mixed communities here too. We won’t win the General election without winning more seats in the South East and if we can win Canterbury we can win anywhere” she said.

Following up the call from Emily Thornberry, Labour supporters turned two days later in Steyning – a ward that voted 50% Labour in the last General election, to offer messages of Hope for the future. Caroline Fife, Chair of Arundel and South Downs Labour Party, said “People are heartened to be reminded we are the second party in this part of Sussex and that there is more of a groundswell than they realise. We are going to build on this support to ensure big changes next election”.

Asked what they hoped for shoppers in Steyning wanted to more funds for the NHS and Education, better public transport, affordable housing, to get the banks and diversity of shops back on the High Street and more facilities for young people.