Winchelsea businessman Aidan Fisher has been elected as Reform UK's first County Councillor in East Sussex. He was sworn in at County Hall on Wednesday 26 November.
He received 32.9% of the vote in the Ashdown and Conquest ward by-election. There was a 30.9% turn out in the vote on 18 November.
Aidan Fisher said it was a close run election. "Reform UK is a very new party and we were up against the Greens who have a very strong electoral record locally. Out canvassing, people were very interested in us but totally disillusioned by the main parties. They were keen to engage with us."
He said he joined Reform UK just before last year's General Election. "We are listening to what people say. The party is the last best chance to turn the country around."
He will face re-election in May next year. Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, told MPs an East Sussex County Council ballot will take place in spite of changes to the authority. This year's vote was postponed.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday 24 November he said, "It remains the Government’s intention that those elections will go ahead as scheduled, unless there is a very strong justification otherwise. That is what will happen."
Voters will also go to the polls on 7 May to chose a new Sussex Mayor.