Brighton & Hove is now a Green city

The Green Party has enjoyed an historic triumph in the local elections in Brighton and Hove today as they emerge as the leading party on the city council.

The Green Party have a clear lead on the council with 23 councillors, an increase of 10, but do not have an overall majority in the city. The Conservatives lost seven seats to finish with 18 while Labour recorded finished as they started with 13. The Liberal Democrats lost their one seat in the city. (Click here for the full results in all the wards across the city)

Despite the number of seats the Green Party received 33% of the votes across the city, compared to 32% for Labour and 29% for the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats received just 5% of all the votes cast.

Historic success

The election has resulted in the loss of many senior council figures, namely Ted Kemble, Jan Young, Maria Caulfield, Ayas Fallon Kahn and Trevor Alford from the Conservatives and Labour’s Pat Hawkes, Christine Simpson, Melanie Davis, Kevin Allen and Juliet McCaffery. The Liberal Democrats’ Paul Elgood and independent candidate David Watkins also lost their seats.

Among the most significant results was Goldsmid ward changing from a three-way marginal to an all-Green ward. The Green Party also took two seats from Labour in both Hollingdean and Stanmer and Preston Park. The Greens also returned three councillors in Queen’s Park, which had been the focus of much Labour activity. A shock result in Withdean saw Green candidate Sue Shanks finishing with the most votes and pushing out Conservative candidate Robert Nemeth as a result. Another success for the Green Party saw them finish off the Lib Dem’s in Brighton and Hove by returning both candidates in Brunswick and Adelaide.

Brighton and Hove returned the first ever Green MP in electing Caroline Lucas in May 2010 and the Brighton Pavilion MP was at Hove Town Hall to celebrate with her ecstatic party as they dominated, particularly in the centre of Brighton and Hove.

Green Party Convenor Bill Randall, who was re-elected in Hanover and Elm Grove, congratulated his team after the final results were in, but said his party are taking control of the city in ‘difficult times’ and said ‘the hard work starts now’.

Bill Randall said: “I woud like to thank all of my colleagues which have been elected and also those that haven’t. We have all worked tirelessly to achieve this result.

“It has been a very hard fought election, but we have run a very fair campaign.

“But now the really hard work starts and we are in difficult times. We did explain in our manifesto we did not know how much can be done, but the city has listened to us and now we must listen to the city.

“We will go away and celebrate now and then the hard work starts next week.”

Cllr Bill Randall takes to the stage following triumph

Labour leader Gill Mitchell, who reflected on Brighton being a unique city, insisted her party were pleased with their share of the results despite failing to increase the number of the councillors, even though they did take some seats from Conservatives in various wards only to lose them to the Green Party.

Cllr Mitchell, who was re-elected in East Brighton, said: “Brighton and Hove is a different and very unique city and these election results were always going to be unique and different. In the main this has been an excellent election campaign in Brighton, Hove and Portslade so well done each and every one of you.

“We are very pleased with our share of the vote which has held out exceedingly well. We will have to go home and work out how that would have faired up under AV.

“Labour will certainly not disappear from any corner of the city. We have a lot to be proud of and we are determined to still do more.”

The now former council leader Mary Mears, who was re-elected in Rottingdean Council for the Conservative Party, insisted her party would be back.

Mary Mears said: “We congratulate those that have one, but to those that haven’t, just remember, we will be back.”

A new leader of the council will be appointed at a meeting of the Full Council on 19th May.

Bill Randall with his winning team

Confirmed Results

Conservatives – 18 (-7)
Green Party – 23 (+10)
Labour – 13 (-)
Liberal Democrats 0 (-1)
Independent 0 (-1)

Total – 54

Here are the results of the wards as they came through at Hove Town Hall.

The Conservatives hold on to their three seats in Patcham to conclude the results of the elections in Brighton and Hove. Carol and Geoffrey Theobald and Brian Pidgeon hold on to their seats.

St Peter’s and North Laine return all three Green candidates to ensure the party have the most councillors.

Labour have taken a seat from the Conservatives in South Portslade with Les Hamilton being joined by Alan Robins on the council.

Cabinet member Ayas Fallon Kahn loses his seat

The Green Party have returned all three candidates in Preston Park, taking two seats away from Labour. Current councillor Amy Kennedy is joined by Leo Littman and Mike Jones in the ward.

Huge result in Goldsmid where all three Green candidates have been elected. The ward was a three way split. Rob Jarrett, Alex Phillips and Ruth Buckley are elected. Labour’s Melanie Davis narrowly loses her seat by just over 100 votes.

The Norman husband and wife team retain their seats in Withdean. Sue Shanks for the Green Party takes the third seat.

Westbourne returns it’s two Conservative candidates, Brian Oxley and Denise Cobb.

The Green Party take two seats from Labour in Hollingdean and Stanmer. Sven Rufus and Christina Summers win for the Greens. Jeane lepper holds on for Labour. Christine Simpson loses her seat.

Hanover and Elm Grove retain three Green Party candidates.

Labour take a seat in Wish ward from the Tories with Anne Pissardiou and Garry Peltzer Dunn winning election.

Labour take the vacant seat in Hangleton and Knoll with Brian Fitch joining current Tory councillors Tony Janio and Dawn Barnett in the ward.

Labour take a seat from the Conservatives in North Portslade as both Bob Carden and Penny Gilbey win for Labour.

Rottingdean Coastal remains a Tory stronghold with council leader Mary Mears, Lynda Hyde and David Smith retaining their seats.

Central Hove returns split with the Green’s Chris Hawtree and Conservatives Andrew Wealls winning in the ward. Former MP Celia Barlow misses out for Labour.

Big result for the Green Party as they take all three seats in Queens Park.

Regency Ward returns husband and wife team Jason and Ania Kitcat.

Hove Park ward returns Conservative candidates Jayne Bennett and
Vanessa Brown.

Moulsecoomb and Bevendean is returned with a crucial clean sweep for Labour with Mo Marsh, Leigh Farrow and Anne Meadows winning election. Councillors Maria Caulfield and Ayas Fallon Khan (previously Goldsmid) lose their seats.

Conservatives hold in Woodingdean with Dee Simpson and Geoff Wells holding their seats.

The Green Party take two seats in Brunswick and Adelaide. Phelim MacCaffety and Ollie Sykes are elected. The Lib Dems lose Paul Elgood.

The numbers didn't add up for Labour

Labour hold East Brighton with Gill Mitchell, Warren Morgan and Craig Turton claiming the seats with comfortable majorities over Green and Conservative candidates.

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Brighton and Hove City Council are broadcasting the results live from their website.

The turnout has been high across the city with the AV referendum likely to have been a factor. See the turnout figures per ward below:

Brunswick & Adelaide (two seats)
Turnout – 7,508 (41.8%)

Central Hove (two seats)
Turnout – 7,000 (J42.69%)

East Brighton (three seats)
Turnout – 10,237 (39.51%)

Goldsmid (three seats)
Turnout – 11,835 (47.03%)

Hangleton & Knoll (three seats)
Turnout – 10,917 (46.91%)

Hanover & Elm Grove (three seats)
Turnout – 11,588 (46.69%)

Hollingdean & Stanmer (three seats)
Turnout – 11,733 (33.54%)

Hove Park (two seats)
Turnout – 8,045 (46.87%)

Moulsecoomb & Bevendean (three seats)
Turnout – 12,161 (31.81%)

North Portslade (two seats)
Turnout – 7,659 (39.56%)

Patcham (three seats)
Turnout – 10,895 (46.74%)

Preston Park (three seats)
Turnout – 10,818 (52.76%)

Queen’s Park (three seats)
Turnout – 11,727 (45.49%)

Regency (two seats)
Turnout – 7,946 (38.91%)

Rottingdean Coastal (three seats)
Turnout – 10,732 (46.52%)

South Portslade (two seats)
Turnout – 7,043 (40.22%)

St Peter’s & North Laine (three seats)
Turnout – 13,304 (35.06%)

Westbourne (two seats)
Turnout – 7,443 (45.52%)

Wish (two seats)
Turnout – 6,990 (47.22%)

Withdean (three seats)
Turnout – 10,887 (50.95%)

Woodingdean (two seats)
7,370 – (42.73%)

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Posted by on May 6, 2011. Filed under Brunswick & Adelaide,Central Hove,Conservatives,Council News,East Brighton,Featured,Goldsmid,Green Party,Hangleton & Knoll,Hanover & Elm Grove,Hollingdean & Stanmer,Labour,Liberal Democrats,Moulsecoomb & Bevendean,North Portslade,Patcham,Preston Park,Queen's Park,Regency,Rottingdean Coastal,South Portslade,St Peter’s & North Laine,Stanford,Westbourne,Wish,Withdean,Woodingdean. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry