Brighton & Hove Greens select their prospective parliamentary candidates
17 July 2007
The Brighton & Hove Green Party has selected Caroline Lucas MEP (left) to be its prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion constituency, which is widely regarded to be the party’s best prospect to return the country’s first Member of Parliament.
She secured 55% of the ballot in a contest with Cllr Keith Taylor, convenor of the local Green Group of Councillors.
Commenting, Caroline Lucas said: “I am proud to have been selected by party members to contest Brighton Pavilion at the next General Election for the Green Party.
"Our recent local election success in the city, coupled with the unprecedented 22% share gained in the 2005 General Election, places the Green Party in pole position to secure a truly historic victory.
“I would particularly like to pay tribute to Keith Taylor, who also sought to be the candidate in Pavilion. He is an outstanding politician who has worked tirelessly for the city, and is an excellent convenor of the Green Group on the Council.”
Cllr Keith Taylor said: “I congratulate Caroline Lucas on securing the nomination to become the Green Party’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Brighton Pavilion constituency at the next General Election.
"She will have my support, along with the whole of the Brighton and Hove Green Party in seeking to become the first Green Party Member of Parliament.”
Results of the selection ballots to find the candidates for Hove and Kemp Town were also announced.
Cllr Ian Davey, who was successful in the Hove ballot said: “I am proud and honoured to have been selected to represent the Green party in Hove. It is important that voters have an opportunity to support a candidate whose party provides meaningful solutions for the future of our city and the planet.
Cllr Ben Duncan, who secured the Kemp Town nominations said: “I am honoured to have been chosen to contest the Brighton Kemptown seat at the next election. Greens are going from strength to strength across the city – and we now have councillors and a solid, growing membership in the Kemptown area.
Notes to editors:
Further information: Geoffrey Bowden, Brighton & Hove Green Party External Communications Coordinator 07958 682682The Green Party share of the vote in the Pavilion constituency has steadily risen since it was first contested in 1992 when the party secured just 2.2% of the vote. It rose to an unprecedented 22% in the 2005 General Election and is widely regarded as the Green Party’s best prospect to return the country’s first MP to Westminster.
Caroline Lucas has been MEP for the South East since 1999 and before that was the first Green party member of Oxfordshire County Council.
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