Keith Taylor takes up new Euro-MP role following Lucas' election win

14 May 2010

Keith Taylor has announced his departure from Brighton & Hove City Council to take up his seat as the Green MEP for South-East England.

Keith has been a Green Party councillor for St Peter's & North Laine ward for 11 years, elected in 1999 and serving as Green Convenor for 8 years. He was also a Principal Speaker for the Green Party of England & Wales between 2004-2006.

The 2009 Euro elections saw the Green Party win across Brighton & Hove with 31% of the total vote ahead of Labour and the Conservatives [1].

As the Green Party's next candidate on their European List for the South-East region [2], Keith will now take Caroline Lucas MP's place in the European Parliament following Dr Lucas's election to Westminster.

Speaking yesterday at the Annual Council Meeting for Brighton & Hove, Keith said: "I've spent the last 11 happy and fulfilling years as a city councillor, striving for improvements in locals' everyday quality of life.

"Now I'm taking all I've learnt to Europe to try and enrich the whole south east region. I'll work tirelessly to achieve as much as I can.

"Although I'll be spending a great deal of time in Brussels, my home will always be here, in Brighton and Hove.

"It's exciting to be delivering inclusive politics based on hope, around a positive vision of building a just and sustainable world.

"With the consistent rise in support for the Greens' message it's clear that's what people want.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to my family for their support, and all our voters and residents as well as our members and volunteers.

"A special thank you and best wishes also go to Caroline Lucas as she begins her historic term as the first Green MP at Westminster."

Amongst many well-wishers, Caroline Lucas also paid tribute to Cllr Taylor's tireless public service to residents in Brighton & Hove, spanning more than a decade. She said:

"Keith is an outstanding politician, a highly respected party member, and a good friend.

"He has served the people of Brighton & Hove with passion and commitment for many years and, as such, will bring a wealth of experience to his new role in the European Parliament.

"I have no doubt that Keith will prove to be an excellent MEP for the South East region, and I wish him every success for the future."

Keith Taylor will be formally received as a Green Member of the European Parliament in the next few weeks.

There will be a by-election to fill his council seat.

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.

1. 2009 Euro results by percentage in Brighton & Hove:

Green 31.4%

Tories 22.1%

Labour 14.5%

UKIP 12.1%

LibDems 10.2%

Votes cast results are at: http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/Results_for_website.pdf

2. Members of the European Parliament are elected on a regional basis using a Closed list (i.e. candidates are chosen by parties) in England, Scotland and Wales: http://www.europarl.org.uk/section/european-elections/voting-system

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