After fifteen years of austerity under Conservative and now Labour rule, it is clear that people in Brighton & Hove are being pushed to the brink. In choosing to make further attacks on disabled people and the welfare system, Labour are making a political choice that will have brutal, potentially fatal consequences. Across the country, Labour councillors in Wakefield, Dudley and beyond are resigning in protest, and more than 42 Labour MPs^[1] have now said they will rebel against the governments plans, following a letter by Sian Berry, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion to all Labour MPs calling on them to do so.^[2]

Brighton & Hove Greens today bring this demand directly to Brighton & Hove Labour MPs Chris Ward (Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven) and Peter Kyle (Hove & Portslade). We ask whether they, as senior members of the Labour government, will show that they are willing to stand up for Brighton & Hove residents and vote against the cuts, or whether they are prepared to condemn the more than 150,000 residents that they represent to the consequences of these plans.

Greens also call on the Labour-run Brighton & Hove City Council to recognise the urgency of the situation, and agree to an emergency meeting to address concerns. Currently, no standard Full Council meetings are scheduled until July. We call for an immediate Special Meeting to ensure opposition councillors and residents have the opportunity to speak, and hear from the Labour administration on the impact that the Government’s plans are expected to have in Brighton & Hove.

Brighton & Hove Green Party
Councillor Steve Davis (Green, Preston Park)
Councillor Chloe Goldsmith (Green, Regency)
Councillor Raphael Hill (Green, Round Hill)
Councillor Ellen McLeay (Green, West Hill & North Laine)
Councillor Kerry Pickett (Green, Preston Park)
Councillor Ollie Sykes (Green, Brunswick & Adelaide)
Councillor Pete West (Green, Round Hill)
Councillor Sue Shanks (Green, West Hill & North Laine)

[1] theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/08/disability-benefit-cuts-impossible-to-support-labour-mps-tell-starmer
[2]sianberry.org.uk/2025/03/14/letter-to-labour-mps-on-proposed-cuts-to-welfare-benefits/

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The seat was won by Labour with a reduced majority. At the last local council elections in 2023, Labour won by over 1000 votes – but this time the gap was reduced to just 209 votes.

Greens say this should be a ‘warning sign for Labour’ after their record on both the council and in Government has been called into question by the result.

Geoff Shanks, Green party candidate says:

“I want to thank the residents’ of Westbourne and Poets’ Corner for their support throughout the campaign.

“The result is a clear warning sign for Labour.  I am disappointed to not be joining the Green Group on the council, but Greens will not let this result stop us standing up for the voters who repeatedly told us they wanted Labour to do better for our country and our city.”

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This council by-election has been called following the resignation of Labour councillor Leslie Pumm. Greens say that Geoff is the candidate to “hold Labour to account”. 

Geoff lives in the ward with his wife Sue, who is currently a Green councillor. He is a retired accountant and is currently treasurer for a local charity. He also volunteers for a national mental health helpline.

Greens came second in the ward in the last council elections in 2023, where Geoff Shanks was one of the two Green Party candidates. 

Geoff Shanks, Green Party candidate says:

“I am thrilled to have been selected by local members to stand in this by-election in the ward I live in. I know the area and the community well and would like to do my best to make our area better. 

“This by-election is an opportunity to push Labour politicians towards a more progressive and green agenda – not more Labour cuts. Labour have broken election promises in both Government and the council. Only by electing a Green can you ensure that your voice is heard on all the key issues.”

Councillor Steve Davis, Leader of the Opposition says:

“Geoff is a committed member of the community and we would be delighted to have him join the council as a Green councillor. 

“This election will be between the Greens and Labour, so every Green vote counts. Another Labour councillor will make no difference to how this council works. For another voice to hold Labour to account, Geoff is the only choice to vote for.”

ENDS

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Community Not Cuts – UNISON Rally
Thurs 30th Jan, 3:30pm, Hove Town Hall
Event link: https://fb.me/e/2vbwUy9H8

“More cuts. More job losses. fewer services. without a people’s budget, more decline is on the way for Brighton and Hove.”

A Labour Council, and a Labour government – yet Brighton & Hove UNISON’s warning about what’s to come for our city is simple. Unless Labour support a true people’s budget, vital public services will continue to collapse. Our schools, our communities can’t take anymore cuts. Labour were elected promising change – so far all they’ve offered is more of the same.

This Thursday, Brighton & Hove Greens will be bringing a motion to Full Council supporting UNISON’s campaign to #BringItBack and reverse over a decade of austerity measures in which the national government has taken £110 million that could have gone towards our transport, schools, parks, communities, and care. Local government services continue to be squeezed by rising costs and central government’s refusal to provide the necessary funding. If Labour want growth, they must recognise that public investment, not cuts, are the only answer.

Before the meeting, Brighton & Hove UNISON, Brighton Hove and District Trades Union Council, and Collective Action will be rallying for Community, Not Cuts – supporting of the Green motion, and calling on Brighton & Hove City Council to stand up to central government, and stand up for Brighton & Hove.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday 30th January at 3:30pm outside Hove Town Hall, and join us in saying enough is enough. Brighton & Hove needs a people’s budget.

Find out more about the rally here: https://fb.me/e/2vbwUy9H8

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Since winning an extra council seat at the Brunswick & Adelaide by-election in Hove on 4 July, Green councillors have been due to receive an extra seat on the council’s committees.

Despite multiple attempts to meet with the Labour administration and discuss where this allocation should be, Greens were told yesterday (19 September) that their new seat will be on the non-political Licensing Committee, rather than the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) which helps to oversee the wider performance of the Council.

Greens claim the move is a politically-motivated one, designed to avoid proper scrutiny from the official opposition to the Labour administration.

Currently, Greens have just one seat on the Place OSC – having a second would give them enough councillors to put forward Notices of Motion and propose amendments to items on the agenda, giving them a louder voice and more opportunities to drive the Committee’s agenda.

Earlier this year, Labour changed the council’s governance system from Committee to Cabinet, putting decision-making powers in the hands of 10 Labour Cabinet Members despite making no reference to this in their local election manifesto.

As part of this process, two ‘Overview and Scrutiny’ Committees – ‘Place’ and ‘People’ – were created to scrutinise Cabinet Member decisions.

Steve Davis, Leader of Green Group said: “This is a clear attempt by the Labour administration to stifle democracy and shut out opposition voices. Their switch to the less democratic Cabinet system earlier this year had no mandate from residents, and now they are trying to avoid proper scrutiny by blocking opposition members from the very committees that are supposed to keep the administration in check.”

“It’s more obvious than ever that Brighton & Hove Labour reflect the increasingly authoritarian nature of their national party and are not remotely interested in proper debate and scrutiny. Despite what [Labour council leader] Cllr Sankey may think, people in this city who didn’t vote Labour still deserve their voices to be heard, and to be properly represented within this council.”

Notes

One of Labour’s own councillors, Joy Robinson, is currently under investigation after appearing to brag about Greens having “no voice” in the council, in a now-deleted tweet: https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/09/18/here-are-the-reasons-for-the-latest-complaints-about-councillors/

Seats on committees are allocated based on the number of councillors of a political party. Prior to the by-election on the 4 July, Greens were allocated eight out of the total 63 seats – their win at the by-election increased that number to nine.

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17 September 2024 – Brighton & Hove Green councillors are proposing that Brighton & Hove City Council should award the prestigious Freedom of the City to Brighton Table Tennis Club (BTTC), in recognition of the incredible work they do in the city and their outstanding achievements at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Brighton Table Tennis Club has long been a beacon of excellence and inclusivity in our community, creating a space where people from all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come together and discover a love for table tennis.

The recent triumphs of Bly Twomey and Will Bayley, who together brought home multiple medals in Paris, have been an immense source of pride for the city and speaks to the incredible work that Brighton and Hove Table Tennis club have done over the past 17 years.

The Freedom of the City is one of the highest honours that Brighton & Hove can bestow; it is reserved for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the community.

Brighton Table Tennis Club has not only excelled in their sport but has also played a vital role in promoting physical activity, mental well-being, and social cohesion within the city.

Greens are calling for these proposals to be put before councillors at the next meeting of Full Council on 24 October.

Councillor Pete West, Shadow Cabinet Member for Sports and Recreation, said: “The achievements of the Brighton Table Tennis Club at the Paris 2024 Paralympics are nothing short of extraordinary. Their dedication to the sport and their commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all players, regardless of background and ability, is truly inspiring. We believe that awarding them the Freedom of the City is a fitting tribute to their hard work and success.”

Table tennis player pic: www.freepik.com

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Green Party conference delegates burst into huge applause and gave a standing ovation for Brighton’s former Green MP Caroline Lucas as she addressed the conference with a passionate valedictory speech about the future of Green politics.

Caroline represented Brighton Pavilion constituency for 14 years as Brighton’s and the UK’s first and only Westminster MP.

She was elected in 2010 and re-elected three times, standing down in July. Brighton Pavilion voters elected Green Sian Berry in Caroline’s place.

Caroline’s parting words at conference: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way, and sometimes I can hear her breathing…” (Arundhati Roy) Thank you.”

The Green Party of Brighton & Hove pay tribute to her years of service to constituents, the country and the planet.

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Wednesday’s counter-demonstration showed hope will always win against hate in Brighton and Hove 

9 August 2024 – Brighton and Hove Green Party were proud to join the thousands of counter-protesters who flooded Queen’s Road in Brighton to protest peacefully against the threat of organised racist and Islamophobia violence on the streets of our city on Wednesday.

The anti-racist crowd vastly outnumbered a tiny group of anti-immigration protesters. 

The racist protesters in the city on Wednesday were few and believed to have come from outside Brighton and Hove, as part of a targeted online campaign.

Greens are clear that these people are not welcome in our city and we are proud to have stood with the people of Brighton and Hove in opposition to these attacks on our communities. 

Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Sian Berry, was among the counter-protesters along with city Green councillors Steve Davis, Kerry Pickett, Sue Shanks, Pete West and Ollie Sykes. 

Brighton and Hove is a proud ‘City of Sanctuary’, which celebrates diversity and is a safe, welcoming place for refugees. These values are embedded in our communities and across the city and will remain so.

Pic: Green city councillors Kerry Pickett and Steve Davis at the anti-fascist counter-rally.

Greens are clear that what is happening on streets across the country is not ‘thuggery’ but organised political violence perpetrated by fascist, domestic terrorists. This cannot stand and it is imperative that the Labour government starts to call out this violence for what it is and take action accordingly. 

Steve Davis, leader of the opposition on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe living in our city. We want to support our residents in countering the wider impacts of this hatred that has made some people feel they cannot belong here if they do not fit within a fascist’s view of society.”

Greens stand in solidarity with every community that has been attacked or threatened by organised political violence on our streets in recent weeks.

Greens also support the police and emergency workers who are protecting the people in these communities as well as the community leaders and individuals working to bring communities together in the face of a political campaign that aims to divide us. 

Please reach out personally where you can to show solidarity with Muslim people and members of other ethnic minorities in your community. Together we can show that solidarity and love are stronger than hatred and fear.

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Reacting to the King’s Speech, Adrian Ramsay MP said: “Labour promised change but it has fallen short of the urgent transformative programme we need, and which the Government has the power to deliver.  

“Our four Green MPs, and the nearly two million people who voted Green in the election, want to see a bolder Labour Government that will invest in ambitious change, including to restore our essential public services and tackle the climate and nature emergencies.    

“This is what a genuinely ambitious programme would look like, rather than a fixation on growth for growth’s sake which fails to recognise the big challenges.”

“We welcome the Prime Minister resetting the tone of politics as being about public service and there were some welcome announcements in the King’s Speech, but Labour’s ambition will sadly be hampered for as long as they handcuff themselves with the Conservatives’ fiscal rules.   

“Greens want action to clean up our rivers and seas by ending the failed experiment of water privatisation, the immediate scrapping of the cruel two-child benefit cap, no climate-wrecking oil and gas extraction from Rosebank, and local authorities to be given the powers to introduce controls on private rent levels.

“This is what a genuinely ambitious programme would look like, rather than a fixation on growth for growth’s sake which fails to recognise the big challenges.”

“This is what a genuinely ambitious programme would look like, rather than a fixation on growth for growth’s sake which fails to recognise the big challenges.”

ends

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Siân said, “It’s a good sign for Green coverage that the BBC News at 10pm included a part of my maiden speech last night. Listening to the wonderful people in Brighton during the election made it SO clear what my mission in Parliament has to be. I’ll work hard to live up to what you need!”

View an X/Twitter video clip of the maiden speech (watch time 28 seconds) : https://x.com/i/status/1813944376147742843

Pic: courtesy of the BBC from the video clip.

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