The Liberal Democrats have claimed that the city’s “love affair” with the Green Party may have come to an end as voters prepare to go to the polls.

Stewart Stone, chairman for the party in Brighton and Hove, is hoping to pilot the Liberal Democrats to success in the city and elect his party's first councillors for the first time in more than a decade.

The party is running more candidates than it ever has before in the city, with 30 representatives standing across all but two of the city’s 23 wards.

Mr Stone, who is standing as a candidate in Whitehawk and Marina, said: “Brighton is a liberal city with a small l, and we intend to make it a Liberal city with a capital L.”

He also criticised the Green Party’s leadership of the council over the last few years and suggested that the party would be voted out by residents tomorrow.

“Under the stewardship of the Green Party, you’ve seen our streets become a complete mess, traffic being mismanaged and issues around cycling. That is the legacy of the Green Party, so I think Brighton’s love affair with them is coming to an end," he said.

“You’ve got to focus on the urgent issues at hand, particularly around housing, sewage, education and poverty in certain key aspects of the city, such as Whitehawk.”

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2023:

While the Liberal Democrats have not been elected to Brighton and Hove City Council, the party does hold power in nearby Lewes and Eastbourne, where Mr Stone said their councillors have been delivering for local residents.

“Up and down the country, the Liberal Democrats have been gaining lots of seats in local elections,” he said.

“We’ve got some really good policies and we’ve got a passion and the drive to deliver.”

Among the party’s pledges are to licence short-let accommodation in the city, increase recycling collections and introduce food waste collections and research the introduction of a tram system along the seafront in a bid to tackle congestion.

Mr Stone also said that there should be greater accountability for financial decisions made by the council, particularly at a time of tight budgets.

He said: “My view is that we should be running the council as you run a business - being very accountable for the financial decisions that are made and making sure you are being equitable and fair in the interests of the local community.”

The Argus:

Mr Stone, who has a background in recruitment, listed three key characteristics he urged residents to look for in their prospective councillors.

He said: “Integrity, passion and listening skills - and our councillors tick all three boxes, and perhaps half a dozen more.”

Voters go to the polls across Brighton and Hove tomorrow to elect 54 councillors for the next four years.

Those voting on election day will need to show a form of photo ID at polling stations in order to cast their ballot. Accepted forms of ID include a passport, a driving licence, a blue badge and an older person’s bus pass.