Brighton and Hove Green Party have been made aware of comments and posts shared online by Simon Charleton, the Labour Party Candidate for the Queen’s Park ward by-election.
There can be no question that Simon Charleton’s comments are beyond unacceptable. As a city, Brighton & Hove stands firm in holding values of inclusivity, in standing alongside marginalised communities against discrimination and hatred, and in our City of Sanctuary status. Brighton & Hove Greens stand in full solidarity with trans and non-binary residents, and against the ‘hostile environment’ that Labour continue to operate.
At a time when migrants are being demonised, and where trans people are used as political scapegoats both in the media and by establishment political parties, Brighton & Hove Labour must answer for why they have selected a candidate who so clearly stands against the values of our city, and whether his views reflect their own.
Posts shared by Simon Charleton include content echoing false, far-right narratives around small boats and immigration, as well as further posts that amplify cruel, transphobic talking points. Brighton Kemptown, where Queen’s Park is situated, has one of the highest proportions of trans people in England and residents deserve to know exactly where the Labour candidate stands on these issues of human rights and equalities.
Labour council leader Bella Sankey has previously gone against her national party’s anti-trans narrative, including her defence of the vital Trans Inclusion Toolkit, and deserves credit for this. But she must now explain why she is enthusiastically campaigning for a Labour candidate who has publicly spoken against this resource. If she is prepared to support a candidate who is not only unwilling to support our trans and non-binary residents, but who is actively participating in discrimination against them, then questions must be asked about how sincere her solidarity really is.
An urgent clarification is needed as to whether these views are accepted by Brighton & Hove Labour Party.
Notes for editors:
Posts made by Simon Charleton are documented here: https://x.com/PinkieBrighton/status/1962437220406546748