Who won the Brighton by-elections?

The results of the Brighton and Hove by-elections were announced yesterday at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.

The by-elections were called after the resignation of Labour’s Tracey Hill in Hollingdean and Stanmer, and Conservative Lee Wares in Patcham.

New Green councillor Zoe John took the Hollingdean and Stanmer seat for her party in a triumphant victory over Labour.

Newly-elected Cllr John said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been elected as a new Green councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer ward.

"I cannot wait to get to work joining Cllr Martin Osborne to represent my community and to continue to grow the amazing work he has already been doing.

"Our voices will amplify the voices of the residents of our ward on issues that matter to them.

“I am delighted to be joining our Green council and I look forward to working hard on making things better for the residents of Hollingdean and Stanmer and the wider city.”

The Greens missed out on one of the ward’s three seats in 2019. Labour won the seat by fewer than 60 votes.

But this time around, Green Zoe John beat Labour’s Leila Erin-Jenkins by nearly 300 ballots.

Labour’s campaign in the area started about a month after the Greens due to a delay in the selection process.

Cllr John added: “I’d like to thank all the other candidates for their commitment and passion for improving our neighbourhood.

"I’d also like to thanks the Brighton and Hove Green Party for being so supportive in helping me win this seat and of course to my wonderful family for everything they do. 

“If you voted for me or not, I will do my best to be a voice for you. Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss any ward issues. 

“But I plan to go knocking again soon to introduce myself to everyone, so I look forward to meeting you then.” 

Meanwhile, Patcham remained in Conservative hands, with new Tory councillor Anne Meadows coming out top.

The Greens enjoyed success here too however, closing the gap by hundreds of votes and pushing Labour into third place.

Cllr Meadows said: “I’m delighted that the residents of Patcham and Hollingbury have put their faith me.”

Cllr Meadows defected to the Tories from Labour shortly before the May 2019 local elections. 

She then lost her Moulsecoomb and Bevendean seat.

“I will be working hard on their behalf with my two Conservative colleagues Councillor Carol Theobald and Councillor Alistair McNair,” she added yesterday.

The 53 councillors representing 21 wards in the city are now made up of:

• 20 from the Green Group
• 17 from the Labour Group
• 13 from the Conservative Group
• Four independents

The count yesterday was markedly different from previous years as authorities worked to conduct business amid coronavirus measures.

Several measures were put in place to help protect the counters and candidates.

There was a one-way system around the counting hall, hand sanitising stations placed at various points and screens separating each counter. 

The full results: Patcham

Anne Christine Meadows has been elected as councillor for the Patcham ward following a by-election on Thursday 6 May 2021.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Lee Wares to fill the vacancy of councillor in the Patcham ward of Brighton & Hove City Council.

Results

• Bruno De Oliveira (Labour Party) 879 votes
• Charles Daniel Goodhand (UK Independence Party (UKIP)) 50 votes
• Madelaine Joanna Primrose Hunter-Taylor (Liberal Democrats) 174 votes
• Anne Christine Meadows (The Conservative Party) 2011 votes ELECTED
• Eliza Wyatt (Green Party) 1733 votes

The turnout was 43.8 per cent out of an electorate of 11,106.

The full results: Hollingdean and Stanmer 

Zoë Olivia John has been elected as councillor for the Hollingdean & Stanmer ward following a by-election on Thursday 6 May 2021.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Tracey Hill to fill the vacancy of councillor in the Hollingdean & Stanmer ward of Brighton & Hove City Council.

Results

• Emma Louise Dawson-Bowling (Conservative Party) 745 votes
• Leila Erin-Jenkins (Labour Party) 1262 votes
• Nigel Furness (Independent) 24 votes
• Alex Hargreaves (Liberal Democrats) 47 votes
• Zoë Olivia John (Green Party) 1542 votes ELECTED
• Des Jones (UK Independence Party (UKIP)) 35 votes
• Rob Somerton-Jones (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) 54 votes

The turnout was 31.9 per cent out of an electorate of 11,758.

Labour Group leader on the council, councillor Nancy Platts, said: “I’m proud of the really positive campaigns both Leila and Bruno ran, and the hard work our volunteers put in. 

“We’re disappointed Leila and Bruno won’t be joining us on the council, but we look forward to 2023 when we hope to convince the residents of Hollingdean and Stanmer, Patcham, and the entire city, that Labour is the party best placed to represent them.

"In the meantime, we will continue to stand up for our residents and work in the best interests of the city on the council.”

Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, Green leader of the Council, said: “I’m delighted that Zoe John will be joining us as a new Green councillor for Hollingdean and Stanmer ward, growing our numbers to 20 Green councillors.

"Sadly it is not Eliza Wyatt’s time to join our growing Green group, but we conducted a hard-fought campaign and I congratulate the Conservatives on their election. I’m delighted to see such a close second in Patcham.

“It is almost unprecedented that the current party in control makes gains in Brighton and Hove. I’m pleased that confidence has grown in our leadership of the city.

"In less than a year, greens have steered the city through the pandemic, acting where the government has failed. With one additional green councillor, we are buoyed to continue this important work.”