Before Parliament

MacCleary was a member of Lewes District Council for the ward of Bridge from 2007 to 2015, and has represented the ward of Newhaven South since 2019. He was the Liberal Democrat group leader and served as leader of the council from 20 July 2020 to 15 July 2021, and subsequently from 18 July 2022 to 22 May 2023. He alternated the role annually with Zoe Nicholson of the Green Party