Candidates
YOUR LABOUR CANDIDATES FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS ON MAY 7TH 2026
On this page you can find details of your local Labour Candidates in Hastings and Rye.
ASHDOWN & CONQUEST
Louise Chantal is your Labour Candidate for Ashdown & Conquest (County division) and Ashdown (Borough ward)
‘I’m committed to tackling the issues that matter to local residents, especially giving families and young people more opportunities to get on and be happy, healthy and safe.
I’ve spent all my life working in the arts and charities sectors, and am already working hard with your MP Helena to tackle the issues facing our community head on.
I’ve already been campaigning to improve local playgrounds and promise to work hard to restore pride in our community.‘
Hugh Nicholson is your Labour Candidate for Conquest (Borough ward)
‘As a local Doctor and Hastings resident I’m committed to fighting for improvements in our area.
Conquest ward is home to many who work at the hospital, wouldn’t it be great if your local Councillor was someone, like me, who understands our NHS and can use that experience and knowledge to advocate for our community?
We need Councillors who work hard to address local issues and I pledge to do just that if elected.‘
Baird & Ore
Kim Forward is your Labour Candidate for Baird & Ore (County division) and Ore (Borough ward)
‘I have lived in our town for over 40 years and know the area well. I am very experienced in a variety of roles including teacher, leader of the council and Mayor of Hastings.
I will use my experience for the benefit of this community by working with residents, local groups and organisations on important issues.
I will be a strong voice for this area. We need a fair and inclusive society that works for all.‘
Rick Dillon is your Labour Candidate for Baird (Borough ward)
‘Baird needs a Councillor who focuses on the issues that matter to residents. I’ve already been campaigning with your MP Helena to get improvements to local playgrounds and want to keep supporting her to fight for improvements in our community.
Whether it’s using Council powers properly to enforce better maintenance of our homes or taking back control of our bus service I promise to work hard for our community.‘
Braybrooke & Castle
Josh Matthews is your Labour Candidate for Braybrooke & Castle (County division) and Braybrooke (Borough ward)
‘I live in Braybrooke and am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see positive change in our community.
As someone born and raised in Hastings I’m proud to be your candidate. I volunteer as the Chair of local charity Better Braybrooke and want to further serve our community as a Councillor.‘
Judy Rogers is your Labour Candidate for Castle (Borough ward)
‘I am proud to have been your Councillor in Castle Ward since 2012. In that time I’ve answered 1000s of emails, held ward meetings, and supported local residents groups.
I’ve got bollards reinstated in the town centre and have led action to combat flytipping and anti-social behaviour. I hope you will re-elect me so I can continue working for positive change in our town.‘
CENTRAL St Leonards & GENSING
Trevor Redmond is your Labour Candidate for Central St Leonards & Gensing (County division) and Central St Leonards (Borough ward)
‘I have many years experience of working in the public sector and am committed to the local community. I will be a strong voice for you and am passionate about improving local services.
I will work hard to bring residents, local communities, and councils together to make our neighbourhood cleaner, safer, more inclusive, and a place where everyone can be proud to live.‘
John Williams is your Labour Candidate for Gensing (Borough ward)
‘I live in St Leonards and am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see positive change in our community.
I have worked in the public services for many years and want to continue to serve the community as a councillor, working with our brilliant local MP Helena to rebuild those services after years of austerity.‘
Hollington & WISHING TREE
John Rankin is your Labour Candidate for Hollington & Wishing Tree (County division) and Wishing Tree (Borough ward)
‘I am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see positive change in our community.
I’m proud to be your candidate and want to see improved public services, better roads, a well maintained and safer environment and better facilities for our children and young people.‘
Angela Harris is your Labour Candidate for Hollington (Borough ward)
‘I live in Hollington and I’m proud to be your candidate. As a mother, grandmother, and caregiver for my husband, I understand the challenges many face when trying to make ends meet.
My personal experience has shown me the strength and compassion our community has. This inspires me to do my utmost to support my neighbours. Together, we can create a brighter future for everyone.‘
MAZE HILL & WEST ST LEONARDS
Anna Sabin is your Labour Candidate for Maze Hill & West St Leonards (County division) and West St Leonards (Borough ward)
‘I live in the area and am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see positive improvements to local infrastructure for all to enjoy.
I am a Director of Combe Valley CIC, Chair of West St. Leonards Neighbourhood Forum and Chair of Hastings Urban Bikes – all working to make our community greener and lovelier for everyone. I’d like to further serve our area as your councillor.‘
Tim Shand is your Labour Candidate for Maze Hill (Borough ward)
‘I’m a committed local campaigner and have been working with your MP Helena to tackle the issues facing our community head on. Maze Hill needs a Councillor who focuses on the issues that matter to residents. I’ve already been campaigning with Helena to get improvements to local playgrounds.
I promise to work hard to make sure Maze Hill is an area we can be proud to call home.‘
Old Hastings & TRESSELL
James Bacon is your Labour Candidate for Old Hastings & Tressell (County division) and Old Hastings (Borough ward)
‘I was born and raised in Hastings, with strong family roots in the Old Town. I’m proud to be your current Borough Councillor and previous Mayor of Hastings.
As well as being a Primary School Teacher I volunteer on several local committees, including, Hastings Week and Carnival Committee. I want to see positive change in our community and to continue serving you and our town as best I can.‘
Ingrid Allen is your Labour Candidate for Tressell (Borough ward)
‘Tressell needs a Councillor who focuses on the issues that matter to residents. I’ve already been campaigning with your MP Helena to get improvements to local playgrounds and it’s frustrating that playgrounds like the one on Bembrooke Road have been damaged for years, I’m not afraid to call out our Council for failing to fix this.
I promise to work hard to restore pride in our community.‘
RYE & EASTERN ROTHER
Amanda Pollard is your Labour Candidate for Rye & Eastern Rother (County division) and Rye & Winchelsea (District ward)
‘I have spent decades working in the NHS and am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see positive change in our community.
I’ve previously won an award for whistleblowing in the NHS and am determined to put my experience of standing up for what’s right to making sure we get the service we deserve from our local Council.‘
ST HELENS & SILVERHILL
Margi O’Callaghan is your Labour Candidate for St Helens & Silverhill (County division) and Silverhill (Borough ward)
‘I’m standing to be your Councillor because this area means so much to me. I have worked here and my children attended Silverdale School so I’ve built strong roots in our community.
I want to work for positive change by tackling potholes, addressing anti-social behaviour, and making sure Silverhill and St Helens is a place we can all feel proud to call home.‘
Barney Green is your Labour Candidate for St Helens (Borough ward)
‘I live in St Helens and am standing to be your local Councillor because I want to see improvements to our neighbourhood that truly benefit the community.
As a creator and host for annual events in Hastings that raised over £50,000 last year for good causes, I’m a strong believer in positive action. There is so much potential for good in our Town and St Helens when we connect and support each other.‘
Helen Martin is your Labour Candidate in St Helens (Borough ward)
‘I love living in St Helen’s, it’s a fabulous place but we still have our problems. That’s why I’m standing to be your Councillor. I want to be part of the solution and work for positive change in our community.
I am a retired intensive care Nurse and a Trade Unionist with extensive experience of representation at different levels, which I will bring to the role of your Councillor.‘