American crisis - Fight back with Tom Paine and his 21st century friends in Lewes!

On July 5th, celebrate Independence Day weekend with Democrats Abroad UK Brighton, Sussex & Lewes Team for an unforgettable afternoon of speeches, comedy, music, history, and - most importantly - voting in Thomas Paine’s hometown: Lewes, East Sussex!

All are welcome, but we especially encourage the 300,000 Americans living in the UK to make the pilgrimage. Turn it into a summer weekend getaway and request your 2026 voting ballot from the very town where it all began!

Why join us in Lewes? Did you know, the legendary Thomas Paine lived in Lewes! His revolutionary pamphlet "Common Sense", published in January 1776, transformed scattered sporadic acts of rebellion into a movement for independence. America was born from an idea - one that can still be summed up in two words: NO KINGS! (Oh all right then.. NO TYRANTS.. as we say today). Join us as we celebrate democracy, civic action, and the enduring power of people raising their voices together.

 As Paine once said "tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph"

Lewes Town Hall - Main Event  | 1:00–5:00 PM

13:00-14:00pm - Town Hall open. Come buy lunch and drinks; register to vote and request your 2026 ballot with DAUK Get Out the Vote (GOTV) team, meet DAUK caucus leaders, and socialise with fellow Democrats in the UK.  

2:00-5:00pm - Expect an afternoon packed with inspiration, entertainment, activism, and community featuring:

• Democrats Abroad UK Chair Cherryl Martin
• Sarah Churchwell, Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities and Professor of American Literature at University College London - Talk: "What would Paine say?"
• Paul and Carol Kelly, renowned performers of The Great American Songbook
• Erich McElroy, American stand up comedian and political satirist
• Voter registration assistance from our Get Out To Vote (GOTV) Team
• Meet with Democrats Abroad UK Caucuses & Committees
• The Bobbleheads
• Readings and dramatisations of Tom Paine and his ever-relevant Common Sense

Make a Full Day of It!

Want to make the most of your Lewes adventure? Consider joining our Host Committee and enjoy one of our exclusive small-group add-on experiences, available to bundle with your main event ticket. These special experiences have very limited capacity and are expected to sell quickly - so grab your spot while you can!

By purchasing one of our Host Committee packages, you are helping to:

• Offset the costs of producing the Main Event, allowing us to keep ticket prices as accessible and inclusive as possible.
• Support Democrats Abroad UK's voter registration and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts across the United Kingdom while helping expand our outreach and engagement work leading up to critical elections.

Host Committee Package options:

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Guided Walking Tour of Lewes Town- Step into the streets that shaped Thomas Paine himself with a charming guided tour through beautiful historic Lewes. Discover hidden stories, revolutionary history, and the atmosphere of one of England’s most fascinating towns.

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Tour of Thomas Paine’s House - Go beyond the history books with a rare guided and narrated visit inside Thomas Paine’s home, offering a powerful connection to the ideas that helped change the world.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: White Hart Inn Revolutionary Soirée - End the day in spectacular fashion. Join fellow attendees in the very room where Thomas Paine once debated ideas before the American Revolution. Raise a glass to democracy, soak in the atmosphere, and celebrate alongside Americans abroad in one of Lewes’ most historic settings. Your ticket includes a complimentary drinks token. 

Thomas Paine made a pamphlet - and so did we! At checkout, you’ll also have the opportunity to add a copy of Stars & Gripes, our Democrats Abroad art magazine curated by the Youth Caucus. Featuring 27 creative submissions from Democrats Abroad members around the world, this striking collection reflects on the current political and social climate in the United States through art, writing, photography, and visual storytelling. It’s funny, moving, thought-provoking, and a powerful snapshot of Americans abroad in this moment.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TICKETING:

All guests must hold a ticket to access this event and its related add-ons. 

COMMUNITY TICKETS: We are reserving a limited number of free community tickets for Sussex residents on a first-come, first-served basis. If demand exceeds availability, recipients will be selected by lottery. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Google Form here. Successful applicants will be contacted a few days before the event.

Any questions regarding ticketing, please contact both [email protected] and [email protected] 

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Democrats Abroad UK is entirely volunteer-run and donor-supported, and financial contributions help fund our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts to support Americans across the UK in registering to vote and exercising their voting rights. As part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, Democrats Abroad UK is currently on “The Road to 250,” an initiative to host 250 local events and voter outreach activities across the country. Your support helps make this work possible.

Please note that Democrats Abroad UK is subject to Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations and may only accept payments from US citizens.

Accessibility - please contact [email protected] with any questions about accessibility needs in advance. 

WHEN

Sunday, July 05, 2026 at 02:00 PM London Time

WHERE

Lewes Town Hall – Corn Exchange room
High Street
Lewes
East Sussex BN7 2QS
United Kingdom
Google map and directions

CONTACT

DAUK Brighton & Sussex Team
[email protected]