Rebel Brighton and Hove Greens launch yet another leadership coup

A year after fending of a similar threat, the elected head of Brighton and Hove City Council is facing more unrest within his own party.

Former deputy council leader Phelim MacCafferty has confirmed he will stand against Coun Kitcat in the vote to be the group's convenor.

It comes after a group of rebels failed in their attempt to change the way the leader of the Green group on the local authority is elected.

A motion was due to be discussed at a party meeting at the end of last month.

But The Argus understands the motion was postponed due to the council's budget needing more time to be discussed.

However, sources claim it will be brought back at a future date with the intention of changing the rules for a future election.

In the more immediate future, Coun MacCafferty will stand against Coun Kitcat in the 2014/15 vote - the year before the local elections.

It was confirmed as ballot papers were sent out to local members this week with the result of the vote expected in a few weeks.

Coun MacCafferty and Coun Kitcat did not provide any comment on the issue.

But senior Green Party figures said it was unlikely that the former would receive enough votes to oust the current council leader.

One town hall source questioned why anyone would want to take up the mantle a year before the elections.

It comes a year after Coun MacCafferty ducked out of standing against Coun Kitcat to be convenor.

This was despite the ward councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide displaying public disloyalty by addressing striking bin men outside Brighton Town Hall as Coun Kitcat was inside defending the council's loan to change their pay.

When Coun MacCafferty refused to stand in the internal vote, rebels voted to re-open nominations rather than support the council leader.

But Coun Kitcat was re-elected narrowly with the overall support of both his council colleagues and wider local party.