I’m Austin Henderson, and I’m standing to represent our community in the ancient town of Battle and surrounding villages because I believe local people deserve a stronger voice, practical leadership, and real accountability from those in office.

Full statement

I live locally with my wife, young son and beloved dog. Like many families here, I care deeply about the future of our area, from the quality of housing and infrastructure, to the safety, prosperity, and opportunities available to the next generation.

Before entering construction, I served in the British Army with the Royal Engineers. That experience instilled in me discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of duty. These are values I have carried through into my civilian career. I now work as a Project Manager delivering large-scale residential developments, managing teams, budgets, and complex programmes.
My job is about solving problems, making decisions under pressure, and delivering results. That’s exactly the approach I would bring to public office.

I am standing because I want to see a return to common-sense decision making. That means supporting responsible development that delivers high-quality homes without overburdening local infrastructure, road safety and improved maintenance contracts, backing local businesses and workers, and ensuring that public services are focused on the needs of the people who rely on them.

Like many people, my political views have evolved over time as I’ve gained real-world experience in work, family life, and my community. I believe in being honest about that. What matters to me now is standing up for the interests of local residents, listening properly, and acting with integrity.

This election is an opportunity to bring practical experience and a fresh perspective into local decision-making. I would be honoured to have your support.