Runners and riders so far for East Brighton by-election

Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown Lloyd Russell-Moyle announced he would be stepping down from his seat on Brighton and Hove City Council, triggering a by-election.

Since then, Labour, The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates.

Last night (December 21), East Brighton Labour tweeted: "Congratulations @nancyplatts1 selected as Labour candidate in East Brighton. Now we organise to win the @BrightonHoveCC by-election in February. Please get involved & help us return a fabulous new Labour councillor."

Nancy said: "Thank you. Delighted and proud to be selected to represent @EBLabour in the by election."

Nancy Platts was Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown in 2015, and for Brighton Pavilion in 2010, and had recently been working under Jeremy Corbyn in the leader of the opposition’s office as trade union liaison manager.

The Liberal Democrats said 18-year-old George Taylor would stand for the party in the East Brighton council by-election yesterday (December 21).

He helped fight nearby council by-elections in Seaford, the East Sussex County Council election campaign, and was a key campaigner in the snap General Election in June, supporting Lib Dem Parliamentary candidates in Brighton, Hove and Lewes.

He said: “It’s a massive honour to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the East Brighton ward. East Brighton is an area that I know very well, having grown up nearby and attended primary school (St John The Baptist Roman Catholic School) in the ward.

“I will be the voice that has gone missing in this ward; housing, food banks and parking are just a few of the many topics on which the Labour group have failed the residents.

"The Liberal Democrats bring a fresh voice to the table. All the other parties have had their turn and have been unsuccessful; now it’s time for the Lib Dems.”

Ed Baker, a digital marketer, is the Green candidate for East Brighton.

He said: “Now, as I see food banks appearing across Brighton & Hove, and the number of rough sleepers doubling in a year, I feel it’s time to step up for my local community. Only the Green Party is really taking the fight to the other political parties on the council which are both wedded to cuts and austerity. Not enough is being done by the Labour-run council to make our beautiful city more hopeful, ambitious, and truly equal.

“As a local resident myself, if elected as a councillor, I will work tirelessly for local people and put them first.”

The Conservatives have not yet announced a candidate for the seat, and the council is yet to announce a date for the by-election.

The two other East Brighton council seats are held by Labour councillors Warren Morgan (leader of the council), and Gill Mitchell (deputy leader of the council).