Dozens of Liberal Democrats are calling for a “truly liberal voice” on the city council at the local election next month.

The party is standing more candidates than ever before in the hope of electing the city’s first Liberal Democrat councillors for more than a decade.

Some 30 candidates will run as candidates across all but two of Brighton and Hove’s 23 wards.

The party’s local chairman Stewart Stone said: “We are standing on our proven track record across the country.

“Liberal Democrats make effective and hard-working councillors. You can trust them to look out for your interests.”

The Argus:

He also said that the condition of the city has deteriorated under Labour and Green administrations, while other parts of the country have done “much better” despite similar constraints on funding.

The Liberal Democrats’ manifesto demands a “fresh approach” to the city’s problems and calls for:

  • Investigation into installing cheap car parks under Brunswick Lawns and Hove Lawns and banning parking on the A259 seafront
  • Rethink of the provision of a local safe space for drug users
  • Licence all short-let accomodation, including Airbnb properties
  • Freeze business rates for companies employing fewer than ten people
  • Increase recycling collections and introduce food waste collections
  • Remove old phone boxes that are not being used

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats are hoping to make break-throughs in traditionally Conservative parts of the country, with the party’s leader Ed Davey visiting Lewes and Eastbourne - both represented by Tory MPs in Westminster.

The party is standing in every ward in Brighton and Hove, except for Hangleton and Knoll and Moulsecoomb and Bevendean:

  • Claire Lachlan (Brunswick and Adelaide)
  • David Sears (Central Hove)
  • Martin Wooller, Jack Moxley (Coldean and Stanmer)
  • Andrew England, Paul Chandler, Owen Sharp (Goldsmid)
  • Laura Mullin, Samantha Waugh (Hanover and Elm Grove)
  • Ashley Ridley (Hollingdean and Fiveways)
  • Dominique Hall, Robert Brown (Kemptown)
  • Marjorie Leeds (North Portslade)
  • Caroline Brown (Patcham and Hollingbury)
  • Hyder Khalil (Preston Park)
  • Thomas Osborne (Queen’s Park)
  • Trevor Freeman, Lawrence Parkhouse-Eke (Regency)
  • Caroline Ellis (Rottingdean and West Saltdean)
  • Matthew Davies (Round Hill)
  • Ken Rist (South Portslade)
  • Robert Heale, Anthony Seymour (West Hill and North Laine)
  • Geoff Date (Westbourne and Poets’ Corner)
  • Simon Jardine, Andrew Harrison, Carolyn Dunn (Westdene and Hove Park)
  • Stewart Stone (Whitehawk and Marina)
  • Stamati Crook (Wish)
  • Ian Newman (Woodingdean)

Voters will go to the polls on May 4 to elect 54 councillors across Brighton and Hove for the next four years.