Brighton deserves an MP who “understands the city”, the council leader has said as a former Green leader aims to replace Caroline Lucas.
Three candidates are in the running to be the Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion at the next election.
Current MP Caroline Lucas announced she will stand down as an MP when the election is called to focus more on environmental activism.
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said that former Green Party leader Ms Berry would be an “interesting choice” if she is chosen as the candidate, but said: “I think what this city deserves is a representative who knows, loves and understands the city.”
Ms Berry also currently serves as a councillor in Camden and previously ran as London Mayor in 2008, 2016 and 2021 - receiving 7.8 per cent of the vote in her most recent attempt.
In a letter to members of the Brighton and Hove Green Party last month, Ms Berry said: “I believe that the energy, focus and determination of your members, combined with the support from the South East region and the Green Party of England and Wales, with the addition of my long experience as an elected Green, leader and candidate in the highest-pressure elections, can together forge the winning team we need.”
Some Labour councillors mocked Ms Berry when she attended a meeting of the council's transport committee, with one accusing her of parachuting into Brighton to become the candidate.
Emily O'Brien, councillor and current Green parliamentary candidate for Lewes, and Daniel Rue, who ran as a councillor in Patcham in May, are also running to be the Green candidate in Brighton Pavilion.
Since Caroline Lucas’ decision to stand down as an MP at the next election, speculation has been rife among Argus readers that Cllr Sankey will stand to be Labour’s candidate in the constituency.
Cllr Sankey said that her focus is on “turning things around for the city”, although she did not completely rule out a bid to become the party’s candidate.
She said: “This is a huge job that I have right now and particularly taking over from the mess that we inherited means I have had my work cut out to try and turn things around for the city.
“I have not honestly had time to think about my future plans.
“At the moment, I am loving being the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council and I am giving it 110 per cent.”
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