Katy Bourne selected as Conservative candidate for Sussex mayor

Katy Bourne has been selected by the Conservative Party to stand as its candidate in the first election for a directly elected mayor of Sussex.

The current Police and Crime Commissioner secured the nomination ahead of former East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton and West Sussex County Council leader Paul Marshall.

Ms Bourne said she was “absolutely delighted” to be chosen and thanked those who supported her campaign, including party members and volunteers. She confirmed that she will continue in her current role while preparing for the mayoral campaign. The new mayoral position is part of a devolution plan approved by the government earlier this year.

The elected mayor will oversee a new Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA), which will cover the whole of Sussex, including Worthing. The role will assume responsibilities in areas such as transport, infrastructure, housing, skills, and policing, effectively absorbing the duties of the existing Police and Crime Commissioner. The first election is scheduled to take place in May next year.