From Strength to Strength: How Support and Strategy Rewrote the Political Map in Eastbourne

By Kathy Ballard

When I first stepped into the world of local government, I knew I wanted to make a tangible difference in my community. What I didn’t fully anticipate was just how much that journey would transform me personally.

My name is Kathy Ballard, and I am proud to say that I am a retired Doctor, a wife, a mother, and an ex school governor, and, as of May 7, 2026, the newly elected East Sussex County Councillor for the Upperton Division Eastbourne.

This latest county-level victory follows my initial breakthrough in May 2023, when I was first elected as a Borough Councillor for Upperton Ward on Eastbourne Borough Council. Looking back at the trajectory of these past three years, the growth has been profound. Managing a mental health disability to get to be a Cabinet Lead shaping public safety has been an extraordinary chapter of my life.

It is a journey that would look vastly different without the steadfast backing of Elect Her.

The First Breakthrough: Rewriting Upperton’s History

(May 2023)

To understand the magnitude of what we just achieved at the county level, we have to look back to where it all began in May 2023. The Upperton Ward had traditionally been a Conservative safe seat, and it had remained a highly competitive marginal. Stepping into that race as a candidate required a massive leap of faith—and a great deal of practical support.

Thanks to a vital grant from Elect Her, I was able to cross the initial financial hurdles that so often deter women from running. I used that funding for the essential, unglamorous realities of campaigning:

Civic Engagement: Attending high-profile civic events to support the Mayor and build crucial candidate visibility before the election .
Campaign Mobility: Fuelling my car to reach far-flung, distant parts of the ward that were completely inaccessible by bus, allowing us to knock on doors and deliver leaflets everywhere.
Professional Confidence: Purchasing smart clothing and proper shoes so I could stand on my feet all day during the intense Count Day environment, look professional for press photos, and walk into the room with genuine self-assurance.
Campaign Endurance: Covering simple subsistence food and drink costs during six exhausting weeks of cross-ward campaigning.

Combined with the incredible Smart Works offer -which provided me with a sharp canvassing outfit, sturdy footwear, and introductory coaching - I felt fully equipped. On polling day, our Liberal Democrat team left nothing to chance. We hit the ground running with door-knocking and telephone canvassing operations.

We didn't just win; we fundamentally rewrote the local political landscape.

Our team captured almost 50% of the vote share, bringing in 1,683 votes and leaving our nearest opposition candidate nearly 700 votes behind with 992. My identity as a retired Doctor, alongside capturing a strong progressive base across the women’s and Green votes, propelled us to a decisive 691-vote majority.

From Borough to County: The May 2026 Tectonic Shift

Fast forward to May 7, 2026. The political landscape of the UK has shifted dramatically, and our local county election in Upperton Division reflected that turbulence perfectly.

This time, the challenge was keeping a surging right-wing opposition at bay. When the final votes were tallied, the results spoke to a highly strategic campaign and a deep level of local trust:

The dynamics of this race were fascinating. The Conservative vote share completely collapsed, with their traditional supporters bleeding away rapidly to Reform UK, pushing Reform into a strong second-place finish with 915 votes.

However, our campaign was saved from that fragmentation by an incredible display of cross-party pragmatism. Recognizing the risk of a Reform victory, local Green Party supporters graciously lent me their votes to ensure we kept them out. Because of this strategic alignment, my vote share soared to 1,820, solidifying a commanding victory and carrying me straight into East Sussex County Council.

Overcoming Barriers: Confidence, Coaching, and Burnout

While these victories look seamless on a spreadsheet, the internal journey was a completely different battle. Elect Her selected me for support because I navigate a Mental Health Disability. In politics, where candidates are expected to project flawless, bulletproof confidence at all times, admitting to low self-esteem or anxiety can feel incredibly risky.

The early financial assistance from Elect Her gave me the initial confidence to secure my first win, but their subsequent Free Coaching Program is what truly sustained me. Over four coaching sessions, my coach helped me identify deep-rooted personal patterns where I was repeatedly succumbing to low confidence and low self-esteem.

One of the most practical and impactful exercises my coach suggested was simple yet terrifying: reach out to two of my trusted mentors within the council and ask them to provide three specific positives about my work, alongside one constructive thing I could improve.

The feedback I received was eye-opening. My mentors overwhelmingly praised my dedication, but pointed out a massive flaw: I was wearing far too many "hats." Between being a devoted wife, a mother, a local councillor, and a school governor, I was drowning in responsibilities. They warned me that if I didn't learn to filter my commitments, I was headed straight for burnout.

That coaching session completely changed how I operate. Today, I closely audit my responsibilities. I have learned the power of saying "no," and I am highly proactive about stepping away from extra commitments the moment my plate begins to overflow.

Embracing a New Career in Public Service

This protective boundary-setting hasn't slowed down my professional growth; if anything, it has accelerated it. Recognizing my potential, my Council Leader invited me to join the prestigious Next Generation Leadership Course, organized by the Local Government Association (LGA). This program was an absolute game-changer, refining my media presentation skills and teaching me highly effective time management frameworks.

Furthermore, through an LGA-organized development course, I completed a Team Management Profile. This analytical tool provided a comprehensive breakdown of my natural leadership strengths, which has been incredibly useful for my Council Leader to accurately assess my skill set and deploy me where I can make the biggest impact.

"I have gone from strength to strength. It is profoundly exciting to find myself embarking on an entirely new career in public service."

Today, I serve proudly as the Cabinet Lead for Community Safety on the Borough Council. Every day, I get to work on tangible initiatives that make our streets safer, support our most vulnerable residents.

A Final Thank You to Elect Her

If you are a woman reading this who is thinking about running for office—especially if you live with a disability, struggle with self-doubt, or feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of hats you wear in daily life - please know that you belong in the room where decisions are made.

My journey from a hesitant candidate to an elected double-councillor holding both Borough and County seats is proof of what happens when women are given the proper tools, financial backing, and psychological support to succeed.

I owe a massive debt of gratitude to the entire team at Elect Her. You didn’t just fund a campaign; you helped build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient leader.

The next chapter at the County Council awaits—and I am more than ready for the challenge.