IT IS D-day in the local and general elections across Sussex after weeks of campaigning and millions spent on leaflet drops, posters and party broadcasts.

Below, Brighton and Hove figures from the five main parties make their final pleas for your vote.

CONSERVATIVES

The Argus: Steve BellSteve Bell Steve Bell - chairman of Brighton Kemptown Conservatives

The choice for the people of Brighton and Hove today could not be clearer.

The economic competence of David Cameron continuing to provide the jobs and growth we need, or the chaos of a weak Ed Miliband controlled by the SNP.

Unemployment and youth unemployment have fallen massively in the last five years but there is still more to do. Now is not the time to risk the recovery.

We have excellent candidates here in the city.

In Brighton Kemptown Simon Kirby has worked incredibly hard, securing the £480 million funding for a new hospital which will make a real difference for patients and staff, supporting the Saltdean Lido and taking up thousands of cases for residents over the past five years. Simon has rightly gained a reputation as a dedicated, accessible, constituency MP who really gets things done for residents.

In Hove and Portslade, retired Police Superintendent Graham Cox (Mile Oak born and bred) will make an excellent MP for the people of Hove and his valuable real world experience would be a great asset.

In Pavilion, Clarence Mitchell is rapidly proving himself to be a voice for common sense in proposing improvements that would make a positive difference for residents.

LABOUR

The Argus: Purna SenPurna Sen Purna Sen - Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Today the people of Brighton have the chance to make change happen.

I have had the privilege of listening and talking to residents about their concerns since 2013.

People want a better future and fairness for all. You tell me you want clean streets, adequate school places and efficiently functioning hospitals. You tell me about being caught in the housing crisis, for buyers and for renters.

I have met business people who say their enterprises need more support.

I know people are struggling with transport and energy bills.

Services supporting women dealing with violence have an uncertain future and opportunities for people with disabilities are restricted.

Students are paying high fees and struggling with debts.

People are concerned about our local and the global environment.

Labour will address these issues. Moreover I am committed to building a future where our children and our parents have decent homes, pay, care and opportunities.

I am committed to a high quality NHS that remains free from cradle to grave.

We elect our representatives to serve us.

I hope that you will trust me, and all Labour candidates, with your votes so we can do the best for Brighton and the best for you.

Thank you.

GREEN PARTY

The Argus: Caroline LucasCaroline Lucas Caroline Lucas – Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Over the last five years, I’ve sought to be a good local MP to my constituents.

I’ve stood up for you in Parliament and with you in Brighton – whether it’s in my weekly surgeries, in the workplace, on the bus or on the picket lines.

A good local MP insists – relentlessly – on asking the awkward questions, on getting results on your behalf.

I have no party whip, and my voice is much stronger for it. I’ve used that voice to press through real change for a greener, fairer future and justice today.

Parliament needs a clear, independently-minded Green voice now, more than ever.

Someone to stand up for families who are being pushed to the edge –and over it.

Prepared to say we should take care of the disadvantaged, not scapegoat them.

To press for urgent climate and social justice, now.

Labour has failed to be the opposition we need. It’s even voted for the Tory cuts.

We know we will have a minority Government and so the role of smaller, progressive parties will be crucial.

I will support putting Ed Milband in No 10 – not the Tories.

We need stability and I will vote with Labour on a case by case basis. But I’ll also press Labour to be the party we need it to be – whether it’s on our NHS, bringing the railways back into public hands or on ending the scandal of cold homes.

And I promise to keep on listening, and fighting your corner, every day.

UKIP

The Argus: Kevin SmithKevin Smith Kevin Smith – Ukip candidate for Hove

I want to be your local voice in Westminster. UKIP nationally want the British people to take control of their own destiny and have clearly set out policies that meet the needs of our country.

These policies are fully funded and independently verified unlike those of any of the other parties.

We want the British people to decide how this country is run and not be dictated to by the bureaucrats in Brussels.

UKIP will give councils more real power in decision making on local issues and more control of how we spend local taxes.

In Brighton, Hove and Portslade, UKIP would bring a wealth of experience to the council.

We have the business expertise and life experience that local politics all too often lack.

UKIP councillors will ensure the council adopts a common sense approach when addressing issues for the benefit of all local residents.

We will do our utmost to take ideological politics out of our council.

In what will undoubtedly be a tough financial environment we will reprioritise spending, put people first and protect the elderly, the disabled and the vulnerable.

Overall, get the best possible value for money on what we spend. We desperately need to get back to basics and show some common sense policies after our experience with the Green council.

I believe that I and the rest of UKIP’s local council candidates are just the team to apply that common sense on your behalf.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The Argus: Chris BowersChris Bowers Chris Bowers – Liberal Democrat candidate for Brighton Pavilion

At a time of great political uncertainty, a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for stability.

Whether we end up working with Labour, the Tories or in some other combination, we stand for an approach that recognises the need to continue the economic recovery but in a way that ensures basic fairness and decency.

More than that, we stand for responsible optimism.

We are realistic about what needs to be done, but compassionate about the poorest not having to bear the brunt of the recovery programme.

We celebrate the individual but insist on individual fulfilment as part of a self-respecting society.

We are true to our international responsibilities but recognise that charity begins at home. And we are a mainstream party with all the environmental awareness of the Greens but with the ability to put our ideas into practice in government.

But Brightonians shouldn’t get fixated solely on our next MP.

Who is in the new Brighton and Hove City Council is equally important, and there are numerous Lib Dem candidates who are set to make valuable, responsible and inspirational contributions to the life of the city, if only voters give them the chance.

OUR ELECTION COVERAGE

The Argus will have the most exhaustive, informative and exciting reporting on the battle for the South Coast.

We intend to give our newspaper and online readers up-to-the-minute news and views across the next few days.

We will also have political expert Professor Ivor Gaber, from the University of Sussex, on hand for in-depth analysis.

Reporters will be at every count tonight and at the local election counts on Saturday.

The Argus will be the only place for the definitive story of what happened and why and you can follow it in the paper, online and on Twitter via #ArgusVote.