Brighton and Hove’s politicians struggle with the pace of progress

Brighton and Hove councillors are battling with a technological advance – electronic voting during council meetings.

But rather like self-checkout tills in supermarkets, it isn’t always quicker or necessarily more accurate.

When Brighton and Hove City Council voted on its economic strategy at Hove Town Hall this evening (Thursday 24 October) there was astonishment when Phélim Mac Cafferty appeared to have voted against.

Not least from the Green councillor himself.

His party colleague Rob Jarrett said that the wrong device had been left on Councillor Mac Cafferty’s desk.

Council leader Jason Kitcat, who is more often to be heard calling for online efficiency, stood up and called for a vote by the traditional show of hands.

He was rebuffed by the mayor, Councillor Denise Cobb, who chairs meetings of the full council.

After the delay caused by fallout from the questionable vote, laughter then followed as the mayor started to read the title of the next item: “Modernising the council …”