Brighton and Hove Greens win key Goldsmid council by-election (From The Argus)
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Brighton and Hove Greens win key Goldsmid council by-election
12:32am Friday 24th July 2009 in
The Greens have become the joint second largest party in Brighton and Hove City Council after winning the Goldsmid by-election.
The election of Alexandra Phillips gives the party 13 seats, bringing them level with Labour.
The win will continue to instill the Greens with the belief that they are a party on the rise both locally and nationally.
The results were announced just before midnight on Thursday night.
Miss Phillips won with 1,456 votes, beating Conservative candidate Andrew Wealls, who received 1,104 votes, into second place.
The Labour candidate Lis Telcs came third with 816 votes, followed by Liberal Democrat's Howard Spencer with 280 votes and UKIP's Maria McCallum with 129 votes.
Miss Phillips, 24, pledged to make the issue of school places her top priority and has called for two new primary schools and a new secondary in the city.
She is the only candidate to live in the Goldsmid ward that stretches around St Ann's Well Gardens, the county cricket ground and Hove station.
Miss Phillips said: "I am really excited about the changes that we can make.
"It is our first seat in Hove and the first seat taken from the Tories. I think that this builds on the momentum we created in the Euro elections. It is massive news.
"Hopefully this means we can put pressure on the Tories and concentrate on our policies of a 20mph maximum speed limit in Brighton and Hove and creating a living wage, which is more than the current minimum wage."
The by-election, which saw a 32.85% turnout, was billed as the poll for the city's “king-maker”, as the winner could determine who has control of the council.
It was sparked by the resignation of “missing” Conservative councillor Paul Lainchbury.
Mr Lainchbury resigned after he came under fire when it was revealed he had not attended committee meetings regularly for some time.
The Green victory has enhanced the possibility of a coalition between themselves and Labour, which could enable them to wrestle control of the council from the Conservatives.
However sources have said that an official coalition is unlikely after a fierce campaign between the two parties but it is thought that they will work together to increase pressure on the Tories.
Councillor Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour group, said it was too early to say whether the parties could form a coalition but said that the Green victory had hurt the Conservative party.
She said: "The Conservatives are fatally wounded and they will not be able to get anything through the council.
"This will force them, at the very least, to work in a more consensual manner. I am determined to work with the other parties and ensure stability."
Ayas Fallon-Khan, deputy leader Brighton and Hove City Councillor and Goldsmid councillor, admitted that the Conservatives were disappointed at the result but denied that they were "fatally wounded".
He said: "It is a disappointment. It was a particularly crucial election but Goldsmid is a very transient ward.
"We still have almost twice as many councillors as they do and I think it unlikely that they will form a coalition that could work.
"I think it is much more of a wound for the Labour party and something that they have been dreading. The Greens are now catching them up."
It is the first time the Greens have taken a seat from a Conservative candidate in Brighton and Hove City Council elections.
Comments(82)
kkj
says...
1:50am Fri 24 Jul 09
JKW
says...
8:06am Fri 24 Jul 09
0-0-0
says...
8:10am Fri 24 Jul 09
Fercri Sakes
says...
8:17am Fri 24 Jul 09
JKW wrote:Ha, so voting in the Tories will lead to some drastic reduction in crime? I think not.
Labour is dead in the water in Brighton and Hove the only alternative to the Melons is Conservative, so when your son is being stabbed and robber like mine everyday as he walks to school and you speak with your local melon councillor who suggest s new cycle lane is a good idea you know who to vote for!
However reducing the speed of cars down my residential street will actually end up saving more lives. And Green policies in general should give us a better quality of life than the Tories' short-termism.
They're called 'Conservative' for a reason. So they can conserve all the money for themselves and their toff friends.
GaryS9
says...
8:30am Fri 24 Jul 09
Tye
says...
8:49am Fri 24 Jul 09
GaryS9 wrote:No just more photogenic bimbos with a "social conscience" BUT without a clue
Oh crikey, now it will take even longer for any decisions to be made - endless debates and disagreements will stall any kind of progress. B&H is crumbling and always looks dirty - does nobody have the vision, the passion, the cahonas to do something about it?!?!
Fercri Sakes
says...
9:01am Fri 24 Jul 09
GaryS9 wrote:I've never understood this argument. I'd rather have some debate on local issues than a Tory dictatorship.
Oh crikey, now it will take even longer for any decisions to be made - endless debates and disagreements will stall any kind of progress. B&H is crumbling and always looks dirty - does nobody have the vision, the passion, the cahonas to do something about it?!?!
Now decisions can be made after listening to a range of views, not just because Mary Mears thinks it's a good idea.
stan bailey
says...
9:02am Fri 24 Jul 09
PaulRobinson
says...
9:08am Fri 24 Jul 09
brighton bluenose
says...
9:17am Fri 24 Jul 09
So much for the image of the right-on, engaged city dweller!!
Andy R
says...
9:18am Fri 24 Jul 09
RAS Putin wrote:Er...an "agenda" of reporting the result of an election?
Does The Argus have an agenda here? I think we should be told!
If you're going to make A Very Important Point, it's a good idea not express so obscurely that no-one gets it.
Tony Davenport
says...
9:20am Fri 24 Jul 09
That's funny .. I hear that Gill has been going around the last few weeks telling people she is preparing to become the next council leader.
(If you feel the need to vomit at this point, please do so quietly!)
Tony Davenport
For Every Sprinkle I Find
says...
9:20am Fri 24 Jul 09
Won't make a difference anyway
Stripes
says...
9:20am Fri 24 Jul 09
JKW wrote:Everyday? Does he have super healing powers? Why doesn't he try a different route perhaps?
Labour is dead in the water in Brighton and Hove the only alternative to the Melons is Conservative, so when your son is being stabbed and robber like mine everyday as he walks to school and you speak with your local melon councillor who suggest s new cycle lane is a good idea you know who to vote for!
Carl Bugenhagen
says...
9:21am Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there
says...
9:50am Fri 24 Jul 09
JKW wrote:Do you think that maybe, just maybe, normal people have some short term memory, and remember a certain £500,000 ex gratia payment made by the Tory leader Mary Mears to Alan McCarthy?
Labour is dead in the water in Brighton and Hove the only alternative to the Melons is Conservative, so when your son is being stabbed and robber like mine everyday as he walks to school and you speak with your local melon councillor who suggest s new cycle lane is a good idea you know who to vote for!
If you think that has nothing to do with losing the seat, keep your head in the sand.
Self evidently, given this result, Conservative is NOT the only alternative!
Ha.Ha.
Masterchav
says...
10:00am Fri 24 Jul 09
Her main priority is 3 new schools? Who's going to pay for that then?
Oh yes... YOU via tax! And you voted for them! Talk about a turkey voting for christmas....
Mary Hinge
says...
10:05am Fri 24 Jul 09
A 24 year old - don't suppose she's got much "life experience" then.
She wants YOU to pay for 3 new schools;
a 20 mph limit throughout the city;
an increase in the minimum wage (paid for by you);
the residents of Goldsmid deserve everything they get when they voted for her!
Tony Davenport
says...
10:07am Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there wrote:Whilst I am totally against any idiotic council waste I actually believe this was a unfortunately high yet necessary payment to get rid of a man I feel was a complete snake in the grass. Our city will benefit from his departure. If we could raise a similar fund to exile Simon Fanshawe I'd support that too!
JKW wrote:Do you think that maybe, just maybe, normal people have some short term memory, and remember a certain £500,000 ex gratia payment made by the Tory leader Mary Mears to Alan McCarthy?
Labour is dead in the water in Brighton and Hove the only alternative to the Melons is Conservative, so when your son is being stabbed and robber like mine everyday as he walks to school and you speak with your local melon councillor who suggest s new cycle lane is a good idea you know who to vote for!
If you think that has nothing to do with losing the seat, keep your head in the sand.
Self evidently, given this result, Conservative is NOT the only alternative!
Ha.Ha.
Tony Davenport
Hextstatic
says...
10:49am Fri 24 Jul 09
Camp Freddy
says...
10:58am Fri 24 Jul 09
Andre Spooner
says...
11:13am Fri 24 Jul 09
I am saddling up my mighty steed for the victory parade!
Idris1
says...
11:14am Fri 24 Jul 09
Randy Lahey
says...
11:23am Fri 24 Jul 09
Mary Hinge wrote:20mph limits are not very 'green' considering the fuel consumption optimum speed is around 50-60mph - people are still going to use cars, but use more fuel.
Wow the residents of Goldsmid have really excelled themselves here. A 24 year old - don't suppose she's got much "life experience" then. She wants YOU to pay for 3 new schools; a 20 mph limit throughout the city; an increase in the minimum wage (paid for by you); the residents of Goldsmid deserve everything they get when they voted for her!
I would be more worried, but consellors (particularly young ones) are used more as gimmicks, and have zero influence.
Charismatic Andrew
says...
11:26am Fri 24 Jul 09
I'm no Tory but their vote actually held up quite well whereas people are ditching Labour for the Greens.
This is a disaster for Labour. Gill Mitchell is starting to become an embarrassment. She's not even popular amongst Labour supporters never mind anyone else.
Give someone else a chance Gill. There's still 1 or 2 decent Labour councillors left. But you're useless.
JKW
says...
11:27am Fri 24 Jul 09
Fercri Sakes wrote:let's hope you're ok when your community charge doubles, voting tory is sensible for reducing crime that's why most bobbies vote tory, cue self righteous bile
JKW wrote: Labour is dead in the water in Brighton and Hove the only alternative to the Melons is Conservative, so when your son is being stabbed and robber like mine everyday as he walks to school and you speak with your local melon councillor who suggest s new cycle lane is a good idea you know who to vote for!Ha, so voting in the Tories will lead to some drastic reduction in crime? I think not. However reducing the speed of cars down my residential street will actually end up saving more lives. And Green policies in general should give us a better quality of life than the Tories' short-termism. They're called 'Conservative' for a reason. So they can conserve all the money for themselves and their toff friends.
Osama bin there
says...
11:28am Fri 24 Jul 09
67% couldn't be bothered.
That shows you how little politics now means to most people.
If you can't be bothered to vote, you have no right to complain when things don't go the way you want them to.
ABC1
says...
11:29am Fri 24 Jul 09
The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen.
The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact.
We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done.
BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.
boblat
says...
11:49am Fri 24 Jul 09
All the negative rubbish in some of the other comments tell's me that people are not yet awake to what's happening.
New schools for the kids, GREAT! From the children will come the change we all need.
20mph speed limit. Well, if you can't see the benefit in that , maybe you critics should return to school? All I ask is that it starts from Preston Circus, with a speed camera in Viaduct Road. Then, instead of "toe DOWN to the traffic lights", it will be "toe UP and don't get nicked"
CAN'T YOU SEE, THAT BY JUST THAT ONE LITTLE MOVE, EMMISIONS WOULD BE REDUCED, POSSIBLY BY 100% AT LEAST????
Only 24? Alex has 12 other councillors behind her, and a mass of good advice from her well-wishers. Don't you worry, she's here to stay!
Nice one Counillor Phillips!!!!
boblat
says...
11:55am Fri 24 Jul 09
virtuoso
says...
12:22pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Tye wrote:I agree with both of you. Well put!
GaryS9 wrote: Oh crikey, now it will take even longer for any decisions to be made - endless debates and disagreements will stall any kind of progress. B&H is crumbling and always looks dirty - does nobody have the vision, the passion, the cahonas to do something about it?!?!No just more photogenic bimbos with a "social conscience" BUT without a clue
KingAlfred
says...
12:33pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R
says...
12:36pm Fri 24 Jul 09
ABC1 wrote:My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't.
As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.
Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate.
Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
Lady Smith
says...
12:43pm Fri 24 Jul 09
ABC1
says...
1:04pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R wrote:"Depression" is an expression of my frustration at the election of a "Green" councillor - something that will benefit none of us.
ABC1 wrote:My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't.
As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.
Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate.
Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
20 mph won't work at all. Motorists drive to road conditions, and don't need the nanny state to point out the dangers of travelling fast in built up areas. The 20mph limit is gesture politics with no meaning in the real world.
The low turn out is an issue generally for any election in the UK. It just confirms the apathy of people regardless of what's on offer. it opens the door for organised minorities suchas the BNP - not a good thing.
I'd rather have had Lainchbury to be honest. In a party system he's just there to vote at meetings for the party we voted for. That's how party politics works. And I voted Conservative, not Lainchbury.
Heathen Earth
says...
1:10pm Fri 24 Jul 09
And before anyone takes misdirected offence, no, I didn't vote Green, I just want to see safer streets & not have to listen to poor excuses as to why we shouldn't have them!
King from Hove
says...
1:27pm Fri 24 Jul 09
funnygirl
says...
1:40pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andre Spooner
says...
1:55pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there
says...
2:07pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R wrote:"but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election.."
ABC1 wrote: As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't. Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate. Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
Who are you trying to kid? 32% is a terrible turnout.
It just shows that most people think (quite rightly) that local british politics and politicians are a joke.
security word: total-apathy
Granny
says...
2:13pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Llort
says...
2:24pm Fri 24 Jul 09
salty_pete
says...
2:39pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Fercri Sakes
says...
2:57pm Fri 24 Jul 09
It's outrageous. Why can't we stick with the current system of speedily driving all our children across the city twice a day? It's not like the well-off families in Goldsmid pay any taxes is it.
And it's not like cycle lanes would improve the health of our residents and help them make less car journeys.
If only the Tories had won then we could maybe demolish a couple of schools instead a build some much needed car parks. And I'd be able to speed round the city all day too!
mangothecat
says...
3:05pm Fri 24 Jul 09
PeterP
says...
3:32pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R
says...
3:35pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there wrote:I'll say it AGAIN...ever.......s
Andy R wrote:"but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election.." Who are you trying to kid? 32% is a terrible turnout. It just shows that most people think (quite rightly) that local british politics and politicians are a joke. security word: total-apathyABC1 wrote: As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't. Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate. Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
o........sloooowly..
..
It's not a bad turnout FOR A MID-TERM COUNCIL BY ELECTION
Ok now?
Stu
says...
3:39pm Fri 24 Jul 09
PeterP
says...
3:55pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R
says...
4:46pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Stu wrote:Crikey! No-one died...
A sad day for Brighton and Hove. Such a shame.
Camp Freddy
says...
5:25pm Fri 24 Jul 09
mangothecat wrote:Mr Davenport appears to have a thing about certain public figures in Brighton & Hove (Alan Mccarthy, Jill Mitchell, Fanshawe, etc). Is this jealousy because his mummy didn't get elected in Kemptown last time?
What has Simon Fanshawe done to upset Tony Davenport I wonder??
Osama bin there
says...
5:28pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R wrote:It doesn't matter how slowly you say it, that fact that nearly 70% of the electorate stayed at home, is a poor turnout - fullstop. Doesn't matter whether it's a mid term council by election or not.
Osama bin there wrote:I'll say it AGAIN...ever.......s o........sloooowly.. .. It's not a bad turnout FOR A MID-TERM COUNCIL BY ELECTION Ok now?Andy R wrote:"but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election.." Who are you trying to kid? 32% is a terrible turnout. It just shows that most people think (quite rightly) that local british politics and politicians are a joke. security word: total-apathyABC1 wrote: As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't. Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate. Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
What you are saying is that COMPARED WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, it's not so bad.
That's not a comparison that's worth much, given the figures.
Bennn
says...
5:32pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Masterchav wrote:GOSH! I can't believe some morons are actually against schools being built!!! Isn't it a good thing to see a very small amount of "your" money go into the construction of schools and the future generation's education? I suppose you would rather keep "your" money, buy a new TV and get even dumber. People have become so selfish and ignorant, it's actually frightning...
Oh **** there goes the neighbourhood then.
Her main priority is 3 new schools? Who's going to pay for that then?
Oh yes... YOU via tax! And you voted for them! Talk about a turkey voting for christmas....
Tye
says...
6:02pm Fri 24 Jul 09
sadly the new aerosol gasses are (and I know its unbelievable) around 14,000 times worse
(If you accept its warmer now than ever - forgetting the vinyards in Northern scotland in Roman times)
Andy R
says...
6:03pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there wrote:Yes...you're getting it now! That is what I am saying. The clue is in the words "for a mid-term by-election"! I am perfectly well aware that in absolute terms it is a lousy turnout.
Andy R wrote:It doesn't matter how slowly you say it, that fact that nearly 70% of the electorate stayed at home, is a poor turnout - fullstop. Doesn't matter whether it's a mid term council by election or not. What you are saying is that COMPARED WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, it's not so bad. That's not a comparison that's worth much, given the figures.Osama bin there wrote:I'll say it AGAIN...ever.......s o........sloooowly.. .. It's not a bad turnout FOR A MID-TERM COUNCIL BY ELECTION Ok now?Andy R wrote:"but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election.." Who are you trying to kid? 32% is a terrible turnout. It just shows that most people think (quite rightly) that local british politics and politicians are a joke. security word: total-apathyABC1 wrote: As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't. Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate. Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
Tony Davenport
says...
6:26pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Tony Davenport
Gentleman Jim
says...
7:13pm Fri 24 Jul 09
This is not a critism of her, rather the fact that so many school leavers are forced to try Uni rather than be un-employed.
Arriseme
says...
7:28pm Fri 24 Jul 09
pw08
says...
8:00pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Taken with the European election vote, this means that in Brighton and Hove we have a two-way fight at the next election; between Tories and Greens. It's a clear choice between Cameron and Osborne pushing the economic policies of the 1930's, and a Green party advocating progress and sustainability.
Labour has long been a party which no real progressive could support without a very strong peg over their nose; but the choice is now very clear. Vote Labour in Brighton and Hove, and you get Cameron and Osborne; for anyone who wants progress to vote Labour now is, in the words of a hero that Labour has long left behind, no more than an emotional spasm.
bug eye
says...
8:43pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Osama bin there
says...
9:06pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Andy R wrote:If you are aware that it's a lousy turnout, what point are you trying to make?
Osama bin there wrote:Yes...you're getting it now! That is what I am saying. The clue is in the words "for a mid-term by-election"! I am perfectly well aware that in absolute terms it is a lousy turnout.Andy R wrote:It doesn't matter how slowly you say it, that fact that nearly 70% of the electorate stayed at home, is a poor turnout - fullstop. Doesn't matter whether it's a mid term council by election or not. What you are saying is that COMPARED WITH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, it's not so bad. That's not a comparison that's worth much, given the figures.Osama bin there wrote:I'll say it AGAIN...ever.......s o........sloooowly.. .. It's not a bad turnout FOR A MID-TERM COUNCIL BY ELECTION Ok now?Andy R wrote:"but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election.." Who are you trying to kid? 32% is a terrible turnout. It just shows that most people think (quite rightly) that local british politics and politicians are a joke. security word: total-apathyABC1 wrote: As a Goldsmid resident I find this result incredibly depressing. Firstly, we find out that 70% of residents didn't vote. This means the Green candidate won on the back of only 15% or whatever of the electorate actively voting for them. The 20 mph limit, if it ever happens, is entirely unenforceable, unless we can install speed cameras every few hundred yards. In the real world, it's not going to happen. The extra schools are just fantasy, as is the "living wage" pledge. There isn't enough money for the schools, and in any case the emphasis should be on improving standards in the schools we already have, not just making mediocre schools more local to residents. Any minimum wage will be driven by Govt. Fortunately the Greens will only get near Govt. in extraordinary circumstances. Otherwise, wages go according to the market, and no amount of idealism is going to change that fact. We now face the Council being bogged down by negotiation for every little thing, so nothing of note will get done. BTW, I received more c**p through my door from the Greens than from the other parties combined. So much for saving the Earth's resources.My! What a low depression threshold you must have! 20mph limits work fine. Only people who don't like them have to try to pretend they don't. Yes it is a shame that more people didn't vote but it's not a bad turnout for a mid-term council by-election and I fail to see why this should be raised as a particular issue in this particular election against this particular winning candidate. Were you as depressed at being "represented" by lame-duck Lainchbury?
That the Greens won by 450 odd votes?
Best news is that the mad old UKIP party only managed to poll 129 votes with their old school seperatist nonsense.
grumpyoldgreen
says...
9:49pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Arriseme wrote:Ah Arrsole, best not do anything then ?
In the photograph accompanying this article Ms. Phillips is holding a mobile phone in her left hand yet I thought that Green dogma holds these as implements of global catastrophe. They use precious resources and noble metals and leave a sizeable ‘carbon footprint’ just in their manufacture - and then there’s all the worldwide infrastructure that keeps them usable, and then there’s charging from the mains that devours carbon fuels which in turn leads to melting ice-caps, drowning polar bears, bush fires, desertification, African poverty and every other calamity known to humanity. In her right hand, however, she holds something even worse, the deranged national leader of her party.
I suppose Caroline Lucas was voted Ethical Politician of the Year because she is deranged? It must be awful for a right wing nutter like you to see decent people being elected to positions of power.
HoveHound
says...
10:14pm Fri 24 Jul 09
The 20mph speed limit im sure is more about saving lives than using a small amount of extra fuel to go slower.
Hove person
says...
10:18pm Fri 24 Jul 09
PeterP
says...
10:19pm Fri 24 Jul 09
sussexskin
says...
11:26pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Donkey OT
says...
11:29pm Fri 24 Jul 09
Except for weekends,which are black and blue,and full of red.
Spreadly
says...
1:16am Sat 25 Jul 09
Scorpion
says...
2:15am Sat 25 Jul 09
The Greens have some good ideas and some poor ideas. This is only slightly different to the Tories and Labour who have, by and large, no idea. Hopefully, an injection of some Green ideas might get people to stop and think ...and ask the question "Is this a good idea?". Not all of them will be but at least itll be different from the usual nonsense from the City Council.
I surmise because shes 24, she may have more idealism than experience. Sometimes too much experience ends up with "we cant do this because..." "we cant do that because..." when we need a little "lets try it this way for change and see".
Change is good. Give the Girl a break. If she doesnt work out then a vote will come around soon enough.
King from Hove
says...
8:41am Sat 25 Jul 09
es are all ok but we dont want those nasty middle class car drivers.Dont forget your bongo drums.
TheInsider
says...
9:45am Sat 25 Jul 09
Nothing ever gets done in Brighton so there wont be new schools or new speed limits. Nothing will change.
This is the city which leaves a pier to fall into the sea, lets travellers camp on parks and playing fields, allows druggies to wander the streets harassing families, still lets visitors desperate to get into the city to spend cash, queue for hours in traffic because there is no park and ride.
It's stagnant like stinking Hove lagoon and this young lady will come and go like many before her.
boblat
says...
10:08am Sat 25 Jul 09
The greens won, fair and square. Keep your neggy vibes to yourself and stay "inside" where you belong.
boblat
says...
10:16am Sat 25 Jul 09
If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything.
Keep your baby talk for the kindergarden.
Arriseme
says...
10:53am Sat 25 Jul 09
PETE OF QUEENS PARK
says...
11:00am Sat 25 Jul 09
Just a thought
Tye
says...
12:29pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Carl Bugenhagen wrote:Agree about the £500k
20mph - presumably to ensure most cars are running as inefficiently as possible? Speed limits for cyclists would be better. IF they can do anything to get the £500k kickback that tory leader got off with they will gain my affection tho.
It was a COMPLETE fiasco
I suggest more folks complain to the Local Government Ombudsman - the more who do the more pressure there is
AlexPitt
says...
2:11pm Sat 25 Jul 09
I think its unfair to criticise Alex Phillips because of her age. Many young people run businesses quite successfully and often have innovative and positive ways of working.
Maybe it is time to accept that the Green Party is a credible political organisation and the Tories should admit their defeat!
And why can't someone pretty be a good councillor? Would anyone crticise a man for being too good looking to do a proper job?
beccajane
says...
4:21pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Tony Davenport
says...
5:12pm Sat 25 Jul 09
Huh?
Tony Davenport
virtuoso
says...
8:47pm Thu 30 Jul 09
Gentleman Jim wrote:Strangely enough, this is also the story of the Green's leader, Caroline Lucas. After a doctorate in Women's Studies at Exeter Uni, she has never had a job outside of agitprop and politics.
Would it be that this young lady came out of Uni with a trendy degree and like many others was unable to find a well paid position so was forced to take a respectable career until she finds a well heeled husband.?. This is not a critism of her, rather the fact that so many school leavers are forced to try Uni rather than be un-employed.
greenpaws
says...
1:58am Tue 18 Aug 09
The Green are the party prepared to be pro-active and not negatively reactive, and think outside the box in the best interests of all people.
Go Greens!
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VICTOR: Alex Phillips with Green Party leader Caroline Lucas. Picture by Nigel Tart
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RAS Putin says...
1:13am Fri 24 Jul 09
I think we should be told!