Councillors in Brighton and Hove will meet later today to discuss a revision of the political balance of seats on the city council. [1]
Last week, the defection of former Labour Councillor Anne Meadows to the Conservative Group was shortly followed by news that the former leader of the Labour Council, Warren Morgan, left the Labour Party to join the new ‘Independent Group.’
Convenor of the Green Group Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty commented:
“With one Councillor defecting to the Conservative Party and their former leader cutting ties with the group, it’s clear the Labour Council has put its internal divisions before the good of the city. It is the Greens who have been called on to clear up the mess.
“Greens offer a distinctive political vision. In the budget last week we reversed cuts to vital public services, injected serious investment in homelessness support and stopping climate change. [2] We have rejected austerity and a hard Brexit at every turn. We want to see a safe, healthy and welcoming city that puts our communities first.
“We will not allow the architects of Conservative government austerity to take control of the council, nor are we here to prop up a failing Labour administration. Neither party are fit to steer our city through the challenges ahead. We remain concerned that the Tories’ ‘takeover’ bid is about derailing safety improvements at the city’s accident blackspot, Valley Gardens. At the same time, residents are right to feel deeply let down by the Labour Party. From overflowing bins, school catchment chaos, slow action on homelessness, division over Brexit and woeful commitments to sustainable transport, they have failed Brighton and Hove.
“While Labour and the Tories seek to embroil the city in further chaos, we know our residents need confidence in council services. In just eight weeks, residents have their opportunity to tell us who they want to run the council at the local elections. Given the mess on both sides of the council chamber, there’s never been a better time to vote Green.”
Notes
[1] Report to the meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council 5th March, 2019: http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=9674&Ver=4
[2] Green Group Statement on the Brighton and Hove Budget and Budget amendments:
https://www.brightonhovegreens.org/news/2019/02/28/green-statement-on-council-budget/