A socialist party has announced it will stand candidates in a third of the city’s council wards in the upcoming local election.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition expressed anger at both the Green Party and Labour for refusing its demands for a “no cuts” budget for Brighton and Hove City Council earlier this year.

The party and its “no cuts candidates” are calling for the council to use its reserves and borrowing powers to protect public services from austerity.

TUSC is standing eight candidates across eight of the city’s 23 council wards. With the exception of Rottingdean and West Saltdean, the party is running in areas which were won by either Labour or the Greens at the last local election.

The Argus:

David Maples, the party’s Brighton and Hove spokesman, will fight for election in Brunswick and Adelaide against the current Green council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty and deputy leader Hannah Allbrooke.

He said: “Over the next four years, the people of Brighton and Hove face devastating cuts.

“We have already seen large increases in charges for services, such as adult social care, and we will now see more increases and cuts to provision.

“This is a devastating scenario for our vulnerable residents. If Labour and Green councillors won’t stand up for the community, we will.”

Mr Maples also said the party’s candidates are not “paid politicians” and are made up of experienced trade unionists, as well as campaigners on housing, education and the environment.

Full list of TUSC’s Brighton and Hove candidates

  • Megan Churchland, Hollingdean and Fiveways
  • Julie Donovan, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean
  • Dave Hill, Westbourne and Poets’ Corner
  • Penelope Ann Iveson, Coldean and Stanmer
  • Glenn Kelly, Central Hove
  • David Maples, Brunswick and Adelaide
  • William James North, Whitehawk and Marina
  • Ron Reader, Rottingdean and West Saltdean

If the party is elected in the city on May 4, it has pledged to oppose all cuts and closures to council services, support workers in calling for inflation-proof pay rises and begin a “mass building programme” of eco-friendly and affordable council homes.

The deadline for people to register to vote is April 17. Registration can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.