ONCE again, the People’s Republic of Brighton and Hove showed that we are unique and different to the rest of the UK.

By voting in three strong voices for progressive politics, we know that the people of the city will have someone to stand up for them in Parliament.

The stark shift in the country’s politics has resulted in another call from the SNP to break up the UK as well as some cheering for us to leave Europe.

I am not one of them. Don’t believe for a moment that Brexit will simply be “done”. This was a cheap slogan... easy to repeat and attractive only in its clarity of message. Getting Brexit done means the start of a very long and messy divorce.

This general election will probably always be known as the Brexit election. Some feel it was like a second referendum.

But, a General Election brings with it a host of other policies. For those of us involved in progressive politics, our disappointment at the result is because we have seen at first hand the impact of the other Conservative policies that will continue to run alongside any negotiations in the EU.

I was at Whitehawk food bank last week, the day before the General Election in fact. And it was busy. The food bank operates from St Cuthman’s Church which opens up its doors and welcomes everyone in. As well as offering food, they have people ready to give money advice, to listen and local councillors like me who hold surgeries and become advocates for people in our communities who need help.

Food donations had arrived from council workers, companies and parkrunners. The food bank provided food for 110 people in two hours. In the words of one of the organisers, this was not a personal best they were happy about. This is the impact of Tory austerity. We are one of the richest countries in the world and we have people queuing at food banks. Brexit is not going to fix that.

I sat with several people listening to their worries about housing. People were being very stoical. Families and friends helping one another out masks a massive problem of hidden homelessness in our city. For example, mums putting up their daughters and grandchildren on shared mattresses on the floor of living rooms because our housing waiting list is in the thousands. Meanwhile, due to a lack of powers, we are forced to allow more homes to be built that are bought by investors living in Dubai. Brexit is not going to fix that.

I met people who are struggling for money because the welfare safety net has been ripped from under them. Universal Credit is not working. There is only so much money advice that can be helpful to people who are short of cash. Sometimes you just cannot make ends meet. Brexit is going to make that worse because prices are predicted to go up and that will affect the most vulnerable people in our society.

We have now faced cuts of £40 million from council budgets. That’s had an impact. We can’t fund everything required and help all those who need help. People are suffering and people are struggling.

We urgently need the Prime Minister to liberate local government by giving back funding and increasing our powers. We need powers to protect our green spaces and ensure any new homes are affordable and available to our local population. We need powers to raise the standard of privately rented properties, we need investment in public transport and green energy to tackle the climate crisis. I think council leaders across the region of all political colours would welcome this.

It is often the council to whom people turn when they are in trouble. This is nothing to do with Brexit and everything to do with how the Government value councils, council staff and the work we do to take care of our communities.

Life changed on Thursday with this election result and not for the better. Many people may be fearful for the future. Local people struggling to survive financially may fear the spread of Universal Credit (which has led to a doubling of rent arrears of council tenants since April).

Residents from overseas may fear the Government’s hostile environment policy. Black and ethnic minority residents may fear that racism and intolerance will be encouraged by that policy. I am proud to live in a city amongst people who believe in progressive politics. Working with our local MPs, we must offer all local people hope rather than fear. Now is a time to come together, both Labour, Greens and anyone who genuinely wants to be part of a new politics and shares our vision for a more equal society. Our time will come.