LABOUR MPs say they are confident their party will win the local elections, despite losing two councillors.

Last month the party was thrown into chaos as Anne Meadows, councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, defected to the Tories and former council leader Warren Morgan resigned to become an Independent.

This left the Tories with a chance to take over Brighton and Hove City Council as they have a slight majority.

However, their bid failed as the Greens backed Labour – and they also supported the current administration at the budget meeting in Hove Town Hall last week.

Despite the instability Labour has experienced, Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, said his party was still the one that will solve the city’s problems.

He said: “Warren and Anne’s departure was a huge loss to the Labour Party in terms of their experience, wisdom, and the energy they brought to the party.

“People look at the values of the party and the individual character of the candidates themselves.

“Even though they had left, I want to thank them for their contributions to the party.

“I have been out campaigning for a Labour candidate in Portslade and I did so proudly and energetically.

“Peter Atkinson, ward councillor for North Portslade, is the best person to serve the community.

“Also, people are still scarred by the four years of Green leadership turmoil. I hope everybody in the Labour movement refocuses on our community and not the ideological beliefs they might have as individuals.”

Mr Kyle, along with Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, has proposed an amendment which could see the party abstain on the Brexit deal if a second referendum was promised on those terms.

MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven Lloyd Russell-Moyle was less forgiving.

He said: “Anne’s move was unforgivable. I think it was about power, I think it was a career move.

“Despite what happened, I still think we can win the local elections in May. I think it may be close, but we have amazing candidates who are campaigning at their wards.

“We have brainstormed ideas on how to improve transport, job opportunities for young people and boosting our city’s economy.”

l Kyle in pledge to end

anti-Semitism – see page 17