A LABOUR candidate for an upcoming council by-election has claimed that the modern Conservative party no longer represents the ward.

Dr Robert Mcintosh will contest the Rottingdean Coastal by-election for the party in May following the sudden resignation of Conservative councillor Joe Miller.

Dr Mcintosh, who has lived in the area for two decades and recently retired from a career working in adult education specialising in special education needs, said: “Rottingdean is a beautiful place to live - I know the modern Conservative party doesn’t represent this place anymore.

“Locally, people are sick of greedy developers and incompetent management of our city. I’m proud of Labour’s stance to ban the sale of second homes in new developments and for always being the pragmatic group on the council who focus on getting the basics right.”

Councillor Carmen Appich, who co-leads the Brighton and Hove Labour group on the city council, said she was “delighted” at Dr Mcintosh’s selection.

She said: “He is a local resident, a proven community campaigner and a competent and diligent worker.

“I’m confident Robert will be a strong voice for people for his community, bring great insight and expertise and make an inspirational and reliable councillor.”

Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown Lloyd Russell-Moyle described Dr Mcintosh as a “passionate campaigner and advocate for his community”.

He said: “I’ve known Robert since before I was elected as the local MP and he has always stood on the side of fairness, whether that was in his career or the community campaigns he’s run locally.

“If elected, Rottingdean will always have a seat at the table when it comes to Brighton and Hove City Council.”

Candidates for the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens have also been announced, along with an independent candidate backed by Bridget Fishleigh - the city’s only elected independent councillor.

Voters will cast their vote in the by-election on May 5, with residents in Worthing, Crawley and Eastbourne also electing new councillors in local elections on the same day.

Rottingdean residents have until April 14 to make sure they are registered to vote.