Albion chief to stand for Labour in Hove suburbs

Albion chief Martin Perry is set to fight it out on the suburban streets of Hangleton and Knoll in his bid to become a city councillor.

The man behind the Seagulls’ £100 million American Express Community Stadium has been selected as one of Labour’s candidates for the Hove ward at the local elections in May next year.

The area is currently represented on Brighton and Hove City Council by two Conservatives – Dawn Barnett and Tony Janio – and one Labour councillor – Brian Fitch, who is standing down.

But, with Labour activists talking up their chances of retaking control of the local authority, it is one of the areas the party believes it can take seats.

Mr Perry, who was only announced as a candidate for the city’s current third party in March, was chosen as a candidate at a branch meeting last night (Thursday May 1).

He will stand alongside community and voluntary sector worker Nigel Jenner and freelance journalist Chris Henry, who also works for Labour’s candidate for Hove constituency Peter Kyle.

Despite Labour’s hopes, current Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said: “If he [Martin Perry] wants to come up and stand and take his chance then fair enough.

“I don’t care if he built the stadium or not. Not everyone likes football. I’m not worried about it and it’s by no means a safe Labour seat.

“We’ve got a good candidate as well as two serving councillors and it won’t be an easy fight.”

Speaking after the vote, Mr Perry said: “I am delighted to have been selected to represent the people of Hangleton and Knoll and they will be my top priority.

“I will be working with Labour colleagues, to ensure that it can run an effective and efficient administration which benefits the city and the people of Hangleton and Knoll.”

Labour group leader Warren Morgan said: “Martin Perry will be a fantastic candidate in Hangleton and Knoll alongside Chris Henry and Nigel Jenner, and his selection sends a clear signal that we are serious about winning seats from both the Tories and the Greens, and serious about running the city after next May.”

Labour currently has 14 seats on the local authority. The minority Green administration has 21 members, the Conservatives 18 and there is one independent.

May’s local elections will take place on the same day as the general election.