Who can I vote for in the Brighton and Hove by-elections?

IN TWO weeks time, some residents in Brighton and Hove will go to the polls to choose their local councillors.

Local elections for councillors are scheduled to take place every four years with the most recent city-wide local election for Brighton and Hove taking place in May 2019.

However, following the resignation of Tracey Hill in Hollingdean and Stanmer and Lee Wares in Patcham, residents in those wards will be going to pick replacements in by-elections.

A fortnight to go, we take a look at who they can vote for.

The current composition of Brighton and Hove City Council

Hollingdean and Stanmer

The area has three seats which were hotly contested between the Greens and Labour at the last election.

Labour’s Tracey Hill received 1,664 votes at the last election. The other two seats were won by Labour’s Teresa Fowler with 1,512 votes and Green’s Martin Osborne with 1,487 votes.

The candidate who missed out on a seat by the narrowest margin was Labour's Phillip Clarke, who trailed behind by just 56 votes.

Emma Hogan (Conservative)

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to stand as the Conservative candidate for Hollingdean and Stanmer in the forthcoming by-election, an area I know well, particularly as I am a graduate of the University of Sussex.

“I now work locally as a doctor in mental health, and it is through this work that politics – and in particular local politics – have become so important to me. I have rapidly learnt that the greatest impact we as a society can have on all of our mental health is to improve the environment – our local environment.

“Homes, pavements, schooling, policing and the list goes on. It is for just this reason that I am passionate about wanting to represent and advocate for all local residents of Hollingdean and Stanmer.”

Leila Erin-Jenkins (Labour)

“I was born, raised and educated in Brighton.  In 2015 with cuts facing children’s centres, including Hollingdean which my children and I attend, I rallied families and we successfully fought to stop these cuts.  

“I campaign for citywide landlord licensing to improve the living conditions and wellbeing of renters, many of whom live in this ward.  

“I also volunteer to protect local people from eviction and homelessness during the pandemic.  I am a parent of a disabled child who attended Downsview Hollingdean and I am also secretary of Sunflower support group, championing fellow parent carers.”

Zoe Olivia John (Green)

“I am totally delighted to be able to represent the Brighton and Hove Green Party in the upcoming by-election in Hollingdean and Stanmer.

 “I am excited to start working with Martin and meet more of the whole community as we work together to make the ward, and council, work for everyone.

 "Having young children myself, my eldest is at the local school, I know the impacts that the last year has had on us all, and I am dedicated to supporting our children and young people as we emerge from the pandemic.

“I am proud to stand for a party that puts our future generations, and their lives, at the heart of our policies."

Other candidates include:

• Des Jones (UK Independence Party)
• Nigel Furness (Independent)
• Alex Hargreaves (Liberal Democrat)
• Rob Somerton-Jones (Trade Union and Socialist Coalition)

Patcham

The area has three seats which were all held by Conservatives at the last election.

Conservative Lee Wares was the most popular of the three, receiving 2,618 votes at the last election. The other two seats were won by Carol Ann Theobald with 2,249 votes and Alistair McNair with 2,044 votes.

The candidate that came closest to taking a seat was the Green Party’s Geraldine Keenan, who received 1,382 votes.

Bruno De Oliveira (Labour)

“For too long the residents of Hollingbury and Patcham have been forgotten, ignored in favour of areas closer to the city. They need a strong voice to speak up for them. I will be that voice.

"As somebody who knows the area, I have witnessed the amazing sense of community spirit that has seen us through the challenges of the last year.

“However, I fear the impact of even more austerity measures. Hollingbury and Patcham needs councillors prepared to defend our local services, protect our homeowners and tenants, and combat the climate crisis. Somebody who will stick up for our families and young people, the elderly and self-employed.

“My priorities will be protecting our local services from austerity cuts, combating the climate crisis and supporting all our residents."

Anne Meadows (Conservative)

Anne Meadows

“I am so pleased to be able to stand for the Conservative Party in the ward where I live with my husband Tony and two sons, who went to the local schools.

“I work for the NHS at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. As a resident of Brighton I was delighted when we moved over the hill to Patcham about 20 years ago. Like many others I love living here and want to see more care taken of the area.

"Councillor Lee Wares moving away has opened up an opportunity where it will be hard to follow in his footsteps, but I have previous experience as a councillor and feel I can build on this good work and if elected I will work just as hard on your behalf alongside my two councillor colleagues Alistair McNair and Carol Theobald."

Eliza Wyatt (Green)

Eliza Wyatt

"I’m thrilled to be standing for this ward which has always been close to my heart. I realise more than ever before that it is a great place to live and in the spirit of the girl guide who collected jumble house to house in Ladies Mile Road, I want to carry on my contribution to the community.
 “As a Green Party candidate for Patcham, I will be looking out for road safety as traffic increases, the protection of green spaces and playgrounds, and the preservation of public spaces. I have enjoyed some of these as a member of Patcham Community Bridge Club, and the Patcham Memorial Hall Choir.”

Madelaine Hunter-Taylor​ (Liberal Democrat)

"Standing as a candidate in Patcham is an exciting opportunity to work closely with the community and advocate for issues that are important to residents.

"I am a proud Brightonian, a parent to three teenagers who attend the local high school and run a small community interest company highlighting the impact of Domestic Abuse.

"After the challenges of the past year, I believe it's important to work together and create a community that feels safe and supported alongside doing my best to shape a city that residents are proud to call their home."

Other candidates include:

• Charles Daniel Goodhand (UK Independence Party)