Battle Branch

The Battle Branch is the beating heart of the Bexhill and Battle Liberal Democrats, providing a councillor on East Sussex County Council and three councillors on Rother District Council.

Cllr Vikki Cook has served Battle for many years, as a previous, Mayor of Battle town and chair for Rother District Council. A leading figure within the Battle community and a local hero supporting youth development, Cllr Cook is a leader for the local Guides and Brownies.

Cllr Kathryn Field was first elected to East Sussex County Council in 1992 serving as a representative for Battle and its surrounding villages for over 30 years. She has used her extensive experience chairing Highways and Transportation, Education, and lead member for Transport. Cllr Field since 2007 has also represented Battle at Rother District Council, and as a member of the Rother Alliance has used her political acumen and knowledge to develop local policies in Transport and the Environment. 

We are sad to announce that Chas Pearce has stood down as our LibDem Rother District Councillor for Catsfield and Crowhurst due to ill health. Cllr Pearce had been established in the local community for over fifty years, and a long history of committed public service, including the Parish Council, the development of Combe Valley Country Park, supporting highway landscape design and the Neighbourhood Plan, local sports, and culture. The Election to replace Cllr Pearce is on 26th June 2025. 

We are delighted to introduce Nicola McLaren, who has been selected to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the by-election that will follow Chas’s enforced departure. Recently retired from a senior management role with IBM, Nicola has impressed us all with her dynamism and her desire to get involved in supporting our community.

Behind the scenes at Battle Branch are a dedicated team of Liberal Democrat Members and supporters who are an essential and highly valued group, led by Jeremy Field who also heads up our local party’s campaign strategies.