Hanover and Elm Grove by-election - the candidates

PHIL CLARKE

Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts (TUSC) Phil is the secretary of Brighton Trades Council and also of the Lewes, Eastbourne and Wealden National Union of Teachers (NUT).

The party is against public sector cuts, privatisation and the bedroom tax.

He said: “We need a genuine anti-cuts challenge on Brighton and Hove council. A single no cuts councillor would be able to help build campaigns in our communities, workplaces and unions to defend our jobs and services.”

EMMA DANIEL

Labour and Co-operative Digital worker Emma has been a member of the city’s Community and Voluntary Sector Forum, a member on the Sussex Police Authority and founded the Coats for Kids project, which collected and distributed winter coats to families who could not afford them.

Emma, 36, said: “I believe I’ve got the experience and skills needed to represent the residents of Hanover and Elm Grove, and, if elected, I promise to work hard on their behalf strengthening local communities.”

LEV EAKINS

Liberal Democrats Lev, 35, was born and raised in Sussex, before moving to Manchester where he gained a degree in politics.

In 2008 he won a seat from Labour on Manchester City Council.

He returned to Sussex last year to start a business with his brother and now lives in Brighton.

A public sector worker, Lev said: “I'm offering the good citizens of Hanover and Elm Grove an authentic Liberal voice to represent their community.”

DAVID GIBSON

Green David lives in the area and works in housing and regeneration.

He is also a co-founder of Hanover Action for Sustainable Living He said: “I've been a community campaigner all my life, both locally and nationally.

“Like many in Brighton, I became a Green after being inspired by our Green MP Caroline Lucas and because it was the only political party prepared to challenge the creaking status quo propped up by the Conservative and Labour parties.”

ROBERT KNIGHT

Conservative Robert was born in Brighton and has lived in the city most of his life.

Educated at Dorothy Stringer and Varndean Sixth Form College, Robert attended both Brighton and Sussex universities.

He worked for the Department for Work and Pensions before taking time out to become a fulltime carer for his mother.

He said: “A Conservative administration is best able to deliver the right incentives to get new businesses to invest in the city to provide highly skilled and well-paid jobs.”

PATRICIA MOUNTAIN

Ukip Patricia lives in Hove and marks out Ukip leader Nigel Farage as a reason for inspiring her to stand for election.

If elected, she said she will be committed to serving those who live in the area.

The national party is antiimmigration and committed to taking the UK out of the European Union.

She said: “UKIP is on everyone’s lips. This country needs a new approach and the other tribal parties cannot change enough to do this.”