A PROGRESSIVE alliance between the two main political parties in Brighton and Hove is on the cards.

Labour group leader, councillor Daniel Yates has reached out to the Green Party after discussions with his party’s 20 councillors.

He described the two parties as having manifestos that were “separated at birth”.

The Labour team hopes to develop a “shared policy platform” with the 19 Green councillors while finding a way to work together to govern the city.

Councillor Yates said: “The housing crisis, the homeless and the climate change emergency will not wait while politicians jockey for party political advantage.

“I truly believe that this approach will be beneficial for the city as a whole and enable us to deliver on our promises made on the doorstep.”

During campaigning he said residents, businesses and community organisations were frustrated at the lack of joined up working between the two “progressive” groups.

He said: “Unfortunately, party politics does rather tend to focus on the differences instead of celebrating the shared priorities.

“Personally, I think this tribal approach has to stop holding back our city and our delivery for residents.”

Councillor Yates was elected for the second time in the Moulsecoomb and Bevendean ward with 1,540 votes – the highest number of all candidates standing in the north east Brighton ward.

Speaking once it became clear that it was between Labour and the Greens, he said: “This is a progressive city. We have seen across the city the two progressive political parties returned at the expense of the regressive Conservatives.”

Former Conservative group leader councillor Tony Janio warned against a Labour and Green power share after he was re-elected.

He said: “If there are deals and a coalition, it lets the results down as the residents have said they want an even split.”

Green convenor Phélim Mac Cafferty would not comment on the prospect when asked at the election count by the local democracy reporter service on Friday 3 May.

The Green Party is due to meet on Tuesday 7 May when the prospect of a deal is expected to be discussed.