Brighton council by-election to take place in December

Residents in Wish ward will choose a new councillor after Garry Peltzer Dunn, who had served the area for five decades, died last month.

Cllr Peltzer Dunn beat a Labour rival by 146 votes at the last local election in 2019.

Both Labour and the Conservatives have announced their candidates in what is set to be a closely fought race between the two parties.

Former county councillor and Hove resident Peter Revell will represent the Conservatives at the by-election.

As secretary of the Hove Beach Hut Association, he has advocated for improvements and better facilities for seafront users.

He said: “I hope that I continue Garry’s good works and can help to preserve his legacy.

“I am passionate about many issues including protecting the seafront, stopping overdevelopment particularly if it is unsightly or buildings out of keeping with the local area.

“It is also important to get the basics right, such as seafront facilities and keeping our pathways clear.”

Peter Revell, the Conservative candidate for the Wish ward by-election (Image: Brighton and Hove Conservatives)

Councillor Robert Nemeth, who represents the Conservatives in the ward’s other seat, backed Mr Revell and said: “I have already worked with Peter on many issues. I have huge respect for his hard work, his dedication to the seafront and his involvement in the local community.”

Labour last won in the ward at the 2011 local elections, with campaigner Bella Sankey hoping to win the seat for the party from the Conservatives.

Ms Sankey is the director of charity Detention Action, which supports people in immigration detention, and previously stood as the Labour candidate for Arundel and South Downs in the 2019 general election.

Bella Sankey, Labour's candidate for December's by-election in Wish ward

Ms Sankey was pushed into third place in the election, behind the Conservative's Andrew Griffith and the Liberal Democrats' Alison Bennett.

The deadline for nominations will close at 4pm on November 11, with voters having until 11.59pm on November 22 to register to vote.

Residents will cast their ballots in the by-election on December 8.

Garry Peltzer Dunn served as a councillor in Hove for 50 years (Image: Brighton Conservatives)

In a meeting of full council last week, Mayor of Brighton and Hove Lizzie Deane paid tribute to Garry Peltzer Dunn, describing him as “a long-serving and well-respected councillor”.

She said: “I would like to extend my condolences to Garry’s family and his friends, including all of our councillor colleagues.”