LIBERAL Democrat activists have expressed hope that changes to ward boundaries could help them regain seats on the city council.

The last Liberal Democrat councillor in Brighton and Hove, Paul Elgood, lost his seat in 2011, shortly after the party entered a coalition government with the Conservatives.

Although the party has failed to make a breakthrough on the city council for more than a decade, local party chairman Stewart Stone said that some of the changes present "an especially good chance for us".

He said: "Liberal Democrats have been squeezed in the council elections in recent years in the intense battle between Greens and Labour.

"But people shouldn't forget that in the 2019 EU election the Liberal Democrats came second across the city, showing the underlying support for liberal ideas.

"The changes to Regency ward, along with the standing down of the two current Green councillors, present an especially good chance for us.

"However, we can spot other gains from the changes and will be presenting candidates in every ward in May next year - giving every voter in Brighton and Hove the chance to vote Liberal Democrat."

Brunswick and Adelaide ward used to be a stronghold for the Liberal Democrats until the 2011 council election, which saw control of the ward switch to the Greens.

The ward, currently represented by Phelim Mac Cafferty and Hannah Clare - the leader and deputy leader of the council, is set to be absorbed into Regency ward under the boundary review announced by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England earlier this month.

The Brighton and Hove Green Party expressed disappointment in some of the changes proposed, particularly plans for a Westdene and Hove Park ward that will stretch across the historic boundary between Brighton and Hove.

A spokeswoman for the party said: "In the initial consultation, we argued strongly for the retention of the historic Portslade and Hove boundaries.

"We are disappointed to see that the historic Hove boundary has not been retained.

"We feel strongly that the commission must visit the city to get a clearer sense of the communities that define the geographical areas of the city that simply won't have been possible in a virtual 'tour' of the city."

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