Hove and Portslade
Martin Hess

Background and Career

Martin Hess, a Hove native, has a rich background in the IT industry. He attended Cardinal Newman School before pursuing higher education at the London School of Economics. Throughout his career, Martin has worked with major corporations such as IBM and HP, alongside smaller tech firms and startups. Currently, he serves as an adviser to several technology businesses, leveraging his extensive industry experience.

Local Concerns and Community Involvement

Hove has been Martin’s home for most of his life. While he values the community, he believes it could thrive under better leadership. He is critical of the current Green and Labour-run council, feeling they are misaligned with the needs of the community. Martin is an enthusiastic Albion season ticket holder and a dedicated follower of Sussex cricket, reflecting his deep connection to local sports and community life.

Political Views and Motivations

Martin found himself politically disillusioned four years ago. As a staunch advocate for freedom, he viewed the extensive lockdown measures as excessive and detrimental to the nation's future. The heavy-handed approach of the state during this period left a lasting negative impact on him.

A former lifelong Conservative voter, Martin now believes that the party has lost its way, making the country a less desirable place to live. He is concerned that a Labour government would exacerbate these issues. Despite not viewing himself as a traditional politician, Martin is deeply concerned about the UK's direction and is committed to advocating for significant changes. He is standing for the Reform Party, which he sees as the only party with the clarity and courage needed to realign the nation’s trajectory.

Core Beliefs

Martin is guided by long-standing British values of freedom, decency, tolerance, and the rule of law. He advocates for a dynamic, enterprise-driven economy with low taxation and incentives for work. Martin also calls for a reduction in the size of the public sector and a substantial cut in net immigration, which he believes is unsustainable and harmful to social cohesion.

He strongly opposes the prevailing cultural wokeness, criticizing its impact on public respect for the police and its focus on 'hate crimes' rather than tangible issues like knife crime and burglary. Martin advocates for a pragmatic approach to policies such as net zero, which he argues has not been well thought out and could harm the economy and disproportionately affect those with lower incomes.

Martin also believes that the NHS requires radical reform, not just additional funding, as both major political parties have failed to address its shortcomings effectively.

Local Issues and Priorities

Locally, Martin is deeply concerned about environmental issues, particularly the pollution of Hove’s sea with sewage discharges by Southern Water. As an avid swimmer, he is appalled that swimming in Hove’s beach remains a health risk due to inadequate management.

He also prioritizes tackling local issues such as graffiti removal, pavement maintenance, pothole repairs, and fostering a pro-business environment in the city. Martin’s commitment to improving his community is evident in his practical and focused approach to local governance.