What a summer! Cycling adventures through mountains and along coastlines, a memorable trip to Porto with my sons, Adrian and James, an escaped to La Rochelle, and a spring visit to Annecy in the French Alps to see our daughter and her family. I even caught up with old skiing friends. Other highlights included launching my podcast website, publishing a heartfelt tribute to my father and his fellow POWs on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, and raising funds for Ukrainian causes. It has been a season of adventure, reflection, and purpose.
What a summer it has been! From cycling adventures across beautiful mountainous landscapes and coastal routes to a memorable trip to Porto with my sons, Adrian and James, the season has been full of highlights. Carol and I enjoyed a lovely getaway to La Rochelle. In the spring we had a wonderful visit to Annecy and the French Alps, where we spent time with our daughter and her family—and I even caught up with old skiing friends. Added to that I launched my podcast website and published a heartfelt tribute to my father and his fellow POWs on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, and I managed to achieve some meaningful fundraising for Ukrainian causes!
About James MacCleary – Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the Lewes Constituency
James MacCleary, BA., MSc.,
James is the Parliamentary Candidate for the Lewes Constituency in the General Election which will be held on July 4th.
He has lived in Newhaven for 8 years with his young family. Prior to that, he was a Lewes resident and Lewes councillor.
Currently he is a Lewes District and an East Sussex County Council Councillor. Between 2019 and 2023 he was Leader and Deputy Leader of Lewes District Council in a shared role .
Local government roles:
He was both Group Leader of the Liberal Democrats at the Lewes District Council from 2019 to 2024.
Lewes District Councillor from 2007-2015 (Bridge Ward) and 2019 to present (Newhaven).
Councillor – East Sussex County Council May 2021 – present
Councillor – Newhaven Town Council May 2019 – May 2023
Lewes Town Councillor from 2011-2015
Business Roles:
Director – Breakthrough Communications & Strategies
Campaigns and Stakeholder Manager – National Literacy Trust
Campaign Director – European Movement UK
Campaign Manager – RSPCA
Education:
University of Kent – BA, Politics and International Relations
University of Oxford – MSc, Russian and East European Studies
More information:
Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2024: with a summary of policies and link to the full document
The General Election is just weeks away, on the 4th July…… But who will win in Lewes?
The chart above shows the state of the parties in the 2019 election
The General Election is just weeks away, on the 4th July……
But who will win in Lewes?
In the elections of 2015. 2017 and 2019 the Conservatives won with the Liberal Democrats hot on their heels. Both parties were many thousands ahead of the other parties. So, it looks like a battle between the Tories and the Lib Dems.
However, we have to remember this is a First Past The Post election where the winner takes all, even if they are just a handful of votes ahead of the rest. This means if the Green and Labour parties put in a good showing, then the Conservatives could easily retain the seat. On the other hand, if the Reform Party does in fact put in nomination papers for their candidate, then the Conservatives are likely to suffer. No doubt the campaign will hot up in June!
Here is a guide to the results of the 2019 election:
The Conservatives won in 2019 with 2,457 votes, – just 4.50% margin. This was down by 5.7% from the 2017 election.:
Traffic Calming on the Kingston Road Lewes and at the Swan Inn is not likely to happen anytime soon because of the ESCC ‘sitting on their hands’ and the Lewes Town Council being caught up in ‘administrative’ processes!
A report by Vic Ient
9th April 2024
As some in Lewes may know, I have been corresponding with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) about my concerns for safety along the Kingston Road and at the Swan Inn junction, Lewes. I have also been in touch with the Lewes Town Council to gain their support as, so far, ESCC are finding all sorts of excuses to do nothing. ESCC are not willing to change their stance until there is a death or serious injury. Also, despite my appeal, I fear the Lewes Town Council, will not take a lead on this issue and put together a funding plan in the near future. It all adds up to delay, delay, delay!
It would be helpful if others take up the issue in order to show there is public support for action.
Vic Ient 