Seaford Liberal Democrats councillor defects to the Green Party
A Seaford councillor has switched political parties.
On Saturday (April 18), Christina Bristow, Lewes district councillor for Seaford West, announced her decision to leave the Liberal Democrats and join the Green Party.
Cllr Bristow, who also sits on Seaford Town Council, said: “I’ve decided it’s time for me to leave the Lib Dems and join the Green Party, where I’ll be supported to speak freely and put residents first.”
She added: “The Greens’ confident approach to politics at the local and national level has inspired me as a lifelong evidence-based environmentalist to join the Lewes District Greens as a political force for positive change.”
Cllr Bristow has served as a district councillor for Seaford West since May 2023. Her register of interests, last updated in 2024, lists her as being employed as a part-time project administrator for the Ouse Valley Climate Action Project.
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “After supporting Christina to be elected as a Liberal Democrat, we are disappointed by the timing and manner of Christina’s decision.
“However, our focus remains entirely on serving the people of Seaford, on healthcare, potholes, local services, green spaces and more.
“Our dedicated team of councillors will continue their hard work for the town, and we wish Christina well.”
As a result of Cllr Bristow’s defection, the political makeup of Lewes District Council is now: 18 Green Party councillors; 12 Liberal Democrats; eight Labour councillors; one independent; and two vacant seats.
A by-election for the two vacant seats, both in Newhaven South, is due to be held on May 7. Liberal Democrat councillor Graham Amy is the three-seat ward’s only currently serving councillor.
In alphabetical order, the by-election candidates standing for Newhaven South are: Catherine Boorman, Conservative; Scott Burrell, Green Party; James Harrison, Liberal Democrats; Joe Moughrabi, Labour; Bill Payne, Reform UK; Jo Pettitt, Liberal Democrats; Tai Ray-Jones, Green Party; Richard Turner, Conservative; and Archie Barry Edward Wilson, Reform UK.
There are also two county council seats up for election in Seaford on May 7 — Seaford North and Seaford South.
The candidates standing in Seaford North are: Sam Adeniji, Reform UK; Liz Boorman, The Conservative Party Candidate; Ezra Cohen, Green Party; and Jane Reeves, Liberal Democrats.
The candidates standing in Seaford South are: Becky Francomb, Green Party; Carolyn Lambert, Liberal Democrats; Tam Large, The Conservative Party Candidate; Bill Payne, Reform UK; and Christopher Purser, Labour Party Candidate.