MORE than a quarter of the city’s councillors are to step down at next year’s election, The Argus understands.
Sources close to all three Brighton and Hove parties said many long-serving politicians will not fight the May 2019 election.
Fifteen of 54 councillors are not expected to stand, including two former council leaders, made up of eight Labour councillors, five Tories, and two Greens.
Sources involved in the process said they thought one or two of the Labour councillors listed below might stand as a “paper candidate” in an unwinnable ward, but none are expected to be elected next year.
The Labour councillors are:
Kevin Allen, Preston Park.
Tom Bewick, Westbourne
Saoirse Horan, Goldsmid
Penny Gilbey, North Portslade
Mo Marsh, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
Gill Mitchell, East Brighton
Warren Morgan, East Brighton
Caroline Penn, Hollingdean and Stanmer
The Conservative councillors are:
Denise Cobb, Westbourne
Geoffrey Theobald, Patcham
Ann Norman, Withdean
Ken Norman, Withdean
Andrew Wealls, Central Hove
The Green councillors are:
Louisa Greenbaum, St Peter’s And North Laine
Dick Page, Hanover and Elm Grove
Councillors Bewick, Greenbaum, Marsh, Morgan, Page, Penn, and Theobald have formally announced their decision. Others have been offered the chance to comment.
Council leader Councillor Dan Yates said: “I genuinely am not aware of the personal decisions of each councillor, nor their plans for the future. Each of the 54 current councillors have given sterling service to the future of this city and each one of them, whether they re-stand for election or choose to stand down should be thanked for their service.”
Noteworthy departures include recent Mayor Mo Marsh, recent council leader Warren Morgan, and former council leader, Geoffrey Theobald.
It will leave Westbourne voters with new faces to choose between, since Cllrs Bewick and Cobb are both stepping down.
And in the safe Labour ward of East Brighton, new councillor Nancy Platts looks set to be joined by two new faces who may be among the half dozen or so expected to emerge from the left wing of the party.
Formal announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
FACTFILE
The Green Party is in the process of selecting and announcing their candidates for each ward.
The Argus understands the Conservatives have completed drawing up their list of candidates.
Selection battles for Labour seats are underway, with around 80 candidates having put their names forward.
In the Labour Party’s case the Local Campaign Forum - a city-wide organisation made up of councillors, activists, and union members - vets potential candidates.
Those who are judged eligible can then apply to a council ward to be considered as a candidate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel