BUSINESS leaders have pinned their colours to the mast ahead of the General Election.

The president of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Green Parliamentary candidate Caroline Lucas for re-election to Brighton Pavilion.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Julia Chanteray told The Argus: “Caroline has done a great job representing people on a local level and takes the business agenda seriously.

“She has also taken things national. Business is the heartland of the city and the two other MPs have not really been engaged, which is disappointing,” she said, referring to Conservatives Mike Weatherley of Hove, who is stepping down, and Simon Kirby of Kemptown, who is contesting his seat.

Ms Chanteray added: “Purna Sen [Labour] is a strong candidate but I think Caroline will do a better job.”

Ms Chanteray said her members would have different political views, adding: “It’s up to everybody to make their own decisions. We are lucky in this area to have these choices.”

Also conveying her personal views, Soozie Campbell, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance, was quick to defend the other MPs over their tenure: “I think it would be wrong to say they haven’t engaged with businesses – they haven’t turned their backs on us.

“Although Caroline has done a good job I couldn’t say the same about the council, and I think many of my members would support me in that view.”

Backing Mr Kirby for Kemptown is Brighton resident and businessman of 11 years David Calderhead.

The owner of the Gelateria De Luca ice cream parlour in St James’s Street said: “Over the past five years, he has worked hard and, on a personal level, has always responded promptly to my concerns.

“Talking to some of my fellow business-owners, I get the view that they want to see the Conservatives continue their plans to strengthen the economy.”

Martin Perry, executive director of Brighton and Hove Albion, backed Purna Sen and explained his reasons for going Labour: “They showed me their sense of social justice, trying to give a helping hand to those less fortunate. That really chimed with me.”

Campaigning as a Labour councillor in the council elections, Mr Perry hopes to remain with the Albion if he is successful, adding: “Politics is about trying to improve the environment for people and making things better. Business does that. I think the two are actually very aligned.”

Not everyone was pinning their colours to the mast, though. Gavin Stewart, who is involved with both the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership and Business Improvement District, said the “jury is out” but that they would work with whoever was in power.