Brighton: Fight for seat between Greens and Labour kicks off

Despite the next election being at least a year away, the two parties were out in force in Brighton Pavilion over the weekend vying for support and votes.

The Green Party is hoping to retain its only seat in Parliament with its new candidate Sian Berry, as Caroline Lucas has said she will stand down at the next election.

However, Labour is hoping Ms Lucas’s decision to quit Westminster will allow them to win all three Brighton and Hove constituencies for the first time since 2005.

Green Party activists, as well as Caroline Lucas and Sian Berry, campaigning in Brighton Pavilion (Image: Laura Eccott | Green Party)

Sian Berry said she was “filled with optimism” by the brilliant turnout of activists for the launch of the party’s election campaign in four target seats across England.

“We know that many people locally want to keep Brighton Pavilion’s unique and strong Green voice in Parliament, but we won’t take anything for granted,” she said.

“Working with our team, I will knock on every door to listen to people’s hopes and concerns and to find out what they want from their next MP.

“We know that people are disgusted with the current Tory government and dismayed to see Labour losing more of its political spine every day on policies from clean air to child poverty.

“No matter what the largest party is after the election, it will be more important than ever for Green MPs to be in Parliament putting the case for fairness, social justice and action on the environment.”

The Green Party are hoping to not only hold Brighton Pavilion, but also win in Bristol Central, Waveney Valley and North Herefordshire.

Leader of the Green group on Brighton and Hove City Council Steve Davis said he was excited that Ms Berry had been selected as the candidate for Brighton Pavilion.

He said: "With her proven track record and experience fighting for people and planet, Sian is going to make a brilliant member of Parliament.

"For the past 13 years, this city has seen what a Green MP can do, fighting relentlessly for constituents and holding other parties to account. I have no doubt that Sian will build on that legacy."

Meanwhile, those canvassing for Labour included council leader Bella Sankey, along with finance lead Jacob Taylor and deputy mayor Mohammed Asaduzzaman.

Cllr Sankey said: “Labour councillors and activists were hitting the doors again in West Hill and North Laine at the weekend, speaking to residents about our new Labour council and asking residents for their views and feedback.

“There was lots of support for Labour locally and nationally and several residents said they were switching from Green to Labour.

“We also picked up casework on blocked drains, unreliable recycling and graffiti management and will be making sure the council responds.”

Labour campaigners, along with council leader Bella Sankey, in West Hill and North Laine (Image: Brighton and Hove Labour)

Although West Hill and North Laine was held by the Greens at the local elections in May, Labour candidate Tom Chatfield was almost 300 votes away from unseating Cllr Sue Shanks.

Labour has yet to select its candidate for the Brighton Pavilion constituency.

At the last general election in December 2019, Caroline Lucas increased her majority to almost 20,000 with 57.2 per cent of the vote. Labour candidate Adam Imanpour came a distant second with just 22.8 per cent, with the Conservative’s Emma Hogan third with 17.5 per cent.

Although the next general election could be called as late as January 2025, it is widely expected that voters will go to the polls either in May or the autumn of next year.