Labour to pick Commons hopefuls in both Brighton seats from women only

The Labour Party has decided to have women-only shortlists in both Brighton parliamentary seats.

Hove will be open to men and women candidates.

The decision was made by the party’s National Executive Committee.

The selection process for all three constituencies is expected to take place over the next couple of months with the timetable still to be decided.

In Brighton Kemptown Nancy Platts is an early favourite, having run Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, close in Brighton Pavilion at the May 2010 general election.

Among her likely rivals will be local party member Caroline Penn.

In Hove the former leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Simon Burgess hopes to win the selection.

He contested Brighton Kemptown in May 2010 when the seat was won by Simon Kirby for the Conservatives.

Mr Burgess, 48, lives in Hove and works for Hamilton Lodge Deaf School in Brighton. He is also the chairman of the Sussex Beacon.

He said: “It’s been lovely taking a couple of years out of local politics, working with local charities.

“But I’ve got more enthusiasm for it now than I’ve had for a good few years.”

The Greens have selected Caroline Lucas to stand again in Brighton Pavilion, public consultation expert Davy Jones to fight Brighton Kemptown and Christopher Hawtree, a local councillor, to contest Hove.