Brighton's political parties prepare for 2023 election

Residents will go to the polls across Brighton and Hove in just over five months' time to determine who they want to represent them and the city for the next four years.

Vying for votes at the polls will be the city’s three main political parties - the Greens, Labour, and the Conservatives, and a group of independent candidates under the "Brighton and Hove Independents" umbrella.

With less than 20 weeks to go until the election, each of these groups have been preparing their pitch to the electorate as they fight for control to run the council.

'We're hungry for more success', says Green council leader

The Green Party’s Phelim Mac Cafferty has been council leader for two years, after the Labour-led administration collapsed following a series of anti-semitism scandals. He said that in that time, the Greens have been “busy delivering for residents, focused on tackling the numerous challenges facing the city”, from the pandemic to the cost of living.

He highlighted a number of achievements made by the Greens since taking control of the council, including providing free holiday clubs for children on free school meals, reducing the number of rough sleepers, approving “bold plans” to revive Madeira Terraces, and introducing fines for graffiti on privately owned property.

Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty sad that the Greens would like to do more work in the city

Cllr Mac Cafferty said he would like to do more for the city if voters re-elect a Green-led council next year.

He said: “We’ve had two years, so there’s much more work to be done and we’re hungry for more success, jobs and a sustainable city environment.

“We are driven to deliver the difficult times we’re facing. Our Green Party teams are out every week listening to residents across the city and presenting our vision for Brighton and Hove.”

'Labour can provide the competent leadership the city needs'

Attempting to wrestle back control of the council in May is the Labour Party, which recently saw success in a council by-election. The party, which currently has 16 seats on Brighton and Hove City Council, is working to gain more than a dozen councillors to secure majority control for the first time in almost two decades.

Labour’s co-leaders John Allcock and Carmen Appich said the party is prepared to make the difficult decisions needed to address a black hole in the council’s budget.

Labour co-leaders Carmen Appich and John Allcock (Image: Brighton and Hove Labour)

They said: “Amidst the dire financial hole the national Conservative government and local Green administration have plunged the council into, Labour is prepared to make tough decisions to prioritise services that support the most vulnerable and invest to save in our communities to ride the economic chaos until a Labour government is elected to return our country to a more stable and positive course.

“A vote for Labour in May 2023 will be a vote to restore basic council services and tackle disadvantage, as well as a vote to build on our positive work in combating the climate crisis, addressing the housing crisis and protecting residents through the cost of living crisis.

“We are listening to the needs of our communities as we finalise our manifesto, and it is only Labour who will provide the competent, responsible and progressive delivery of services our city desperately needs.”

'Only the Tories will get the council working for residents again'

Amid turbulence for the Conservative government in Westminster over the last year, the local Tories will be heading into the election with their fewest number of councillors ever in the city with just 11.

However, local party leader Steve Bell said the Conservatives are the only party willing to get the council “working for residents and do what is necessary to deliver statutory and basic services again”.

Cllr Bell slammed the Greens and Labour for policies that have “caused huge problems across the city,” highlighting issues around weeds growing around the city’s pavements, approving development on urban fringe sites and neglect of the city’s heritage.

Conservatives have already been out campaigning ahead of the elections in May (Image: Brighton and Hove Conservatives)

He also said that both parties spend too much time debating national and international affairs, while overlooking issues that matter to residents.

Cllr Bell said: “We are the only group that is willing to change the damaging policies of Labour and the Greens and get the council working for residents again, to do what is necessary to get the council delivering its statutory and basic services again.”

'Independents will provide change the city needs and deserves'

Following on from her election in 2019, the city’s only elected independent councillor Bridget Fishleigh has been working hard to increase the number of independents that sit on the city council. 

She said the city needs people with real-life experience running the city, who will put the needs of residents first.

Cllr Fishleigh said “a number of candidates” have already been lined up for the elections in May and has previously indicated her Brighton and Hove Independents group will stand across the city.

Cllr Fishleigh said that only independent councillors would bring competent leadership (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

She said: “Brighton and Hove has been run by the Greens or Labour with ineffective Conservative opposition since 2011. During this time, there have been significant cuts in funding from central government which means the money that the city does have has to be spent wisely and prudently.

“Our city’s a mess with services decimated but the vanity projects, mismanagement and incompetence continue unchecked. It’s time for change.

“Brighton and Hove Independents is led by locals who put people before politics. We are competent, trustworthy and financially astute.

“We are the change that the city we love needs and deserves.”