Brighton and Hove Greens select candidate for Hanover by-election

The Brighton and Hove Green Party has picked its candidate for the Hanover and Elm Grove by-election.

Community campaigner David Gibson will represent the party in the election that follows the resignation of Councillor Matt Follett from Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mr Gibson works in housing and community regeneration and lives in the ward.

He said: “I’ve been a community campaigner all my life, both locally and nationally, where I set up a national housing campaign, the Daylight Robbery, which got the law changed to end an unjust tax on council tenants which was used to fund benefits.

“The change paved the way for the current system where councils get to keep all of the rents paid, for investment locally.

“I am also a co-founder of Hanover Action for Sustainable Living (HASL).

David Gibson

“Like many people in Brighton, I became a Green after being inspired by our Green MP Caroline Lucas and because the Green Party was the only political party prepared to challenge the creaking status quo propped up by the Conservative and Labour parties – especially after Labour lost its way under Tony Blair, took the country into the Iraq war and, in Peter Mandelson’s words, became intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich.

“I don’t see Labour leaving that legacy behind them any time soon, being the recent architects of so many present troubles, from bedroom tax to NHS privatisation, and being champions of cuts and austerity.

“I love living in Hanover. I’m active in the community and I’m also a member of the Hanover Community Association.

“I’ve lived in Hanover for 17 years, where my partner and I are bringing up two teenage boys. I’ve been selected as the Green Party candidate for the forthcoming by-election.

A date for the by-election has yet to be set.