General election shake-up likely to result in Brighton by-election (From The Argus)

General election shake-up likely to result in Brighton by-election

1:10pm Tuesday 11th May 2010 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Politicians across Sussex have been waking up to life after the General Election.

Six of the county’s 16 MPs were elected for the first time last week - four Conservatives, one Liberal Democrat and one Green.

They now have a week to get settled into life in Westminster before the new Parliament is scheduled to sit for the first time on Tuesday.

But as they became familiar with their new surroundings, their election has seen a number of changes on a local level.

Caroline Lucas, the Green’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, is expected to arrive in Westminster tomorrow.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Keith Taylor said he expected to take her place as MEP for the South East in the next couple of weeks.

Mr Taylor, who represents St Peter’s and North Laine ward, said: “The process is underway and I’m looking forward to continuing Caroline’s work and representing the views of the entire region in the second biggest parliamentary forum in the world.”

He added he was in discussions with his Green party colleagues about stepping down from his role as a councillor.

Any resignation would result in a fiercely fought by-election, which could affect the fragile make-up of the minority-run council.

On arrival the new MPs were asked to wear green stickers to identify themselves as “newbies” and a guidebook to help familiarise them with the traditions of the House of Commons.

Simon Kirby, new Tory MP for Brighton Kemptown, said he had already received hundreds of letters and emails from constituents.

He said: “It’s certainly a bit like starting school.

“The important thing is to get up and running as quickly as I can so I can do the job I was elected to do.”