Seven candidates are standing in a by-election in South Portslade for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council on Thursday 11 January 2024.
The seat became vacant when Labour councillor Les Hamilton resigned.
The seven candidates are Danny John Booth (Green), Benjamin James Franks (Conservative), Jamie Rutherford Gillespie (Independent), Josh Guilmant (Labour), David Timothy Maples (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Georgia Arabella McKinley Fitch (Democratic Liberation Party), Kenneth Lloyd Rist (Liberal Democrats).
Each candidate received questions about local issues submitted by the public and were asked why they want to represent the ward. Below are the responses from Democratic Liberation Party candidate Georgia McKinley Fitch, 25, who works in retail.
Why do you want to be a councillor?
Over the past two decades, the city’s residents, particularly those in Portslade, have suffered the incompetence and arrogance of administrations run by all three major parties, resulting in a current council that has turned from the provider of basic services into a dictatorial authority, more concerned with controlling our behaviour with stealth taxation without representation.
I would love the opportunity to bring direct democracy to our council to ensure residents and elected councillors can collaborate on all big decisions.
Why do you want to stand in this ward?
South Portslade is a place I hold close to my heart. I have grown up and lived in the area my whole life and work in the ward too.
Therefore, I would love to ensure a positive future for Portslade and its residents.
What are the key issues specific to this ward?
The proposed closure of St Peter’s would be detrimental to the local area, creating unnecessary stress for parents and children alike.
I see no logic in moving more families into the area with new developments while simultaneously, taking away vital community resources such as schools.
Not to mention that the proposed plans for new developments are monolithic and would ruin the pretty Portslade we know and love.
Will you toe the party line or go with what the community wants?
My party believes that politics has no place in local government. It does not operate a whip.
Residents’ interests will always come first, based on common sense and value for money.
If elected, I would be the first advocate of direct democracy in our town hall and I would use every opportunity to push for this empowering system to be enshrined in our council’s constitution.
Will you follow council officers’ advice over the demands of voters?
Of course I will listen to recommendations but I shall question the logic of proposals from officers.
Since all council projects and services have to be funded by residents, through council tax, I shall seek value for every penny as if it were my money.
I truly believe that all projects should be for the benefit of residents and not needless vanity projects that massage the egos of politicians and line the pockets of greedy developers.
How will you make South Portslade a better place?
As someone who works in Station Road, I would love our neglected high street to get some much-needed TLC.
Portslade is the oldest settlement in this city dating back to Roman times. This is something that doesn’t receive the due respect from our town hall it deserves.
Our history is something that should be cherished which is why I believe it’s high time we had our own museum to capitalise on this rich history.
How will you deal with residents’ problems with missed rubbish and recycling collections?
I would take a very robust and hands-on approach with the relevant council officers in charge of these departments.
If we owe any council tax we are threatened with bailiffs so effectively we are paying for services which are not being provided.
Were our council to be a private concern, we would have right of redress plus compensation. This is tantamount to taking our money under false pretences.
What are your plans to engage with the community if elected?
Monthly surgeries would be the first obvious answer and, unlike most councillors, I will be contactable by phone and email. My aim is to be both helpful and approachable.
What are your views on the proposed closure of St Peter’s Community Primary School?
Populations of all age groups fluctuate from time to time but is this any reason to close a school?
Have they considered mothballing classrooms to make savings rather than the complete closure of this community asset?
Because when the school-age population rises again, which it will in the future, where will we find the land to build another school?
When such is the case, classrooms can be reopened and teachers re-employed. Once an asset has gone, it’s gone.
How will you ensure that the results of consultations about St Peter’s reflect the community’s will?
If elected, my pledge to my electors will be that I will resist to the utmost, with every means at my disposal, this cruel and wicked proposal.
Polling stations in South Portslade are due to open at 7am next Thursday and close at 10pm. Photo ID is required for those voting in person.
Typos corrected
The mainstream parties have failed to provide the promised Localism and their tweaking of manifestos will achieve little – until they start working for residents.
The balance of power needs to held by councillors who want government for the people – and who will insist on having regulations proposed and scrutinised in the Council Chamber – rather than following a party whip.
So to arrest the decline, we need resident facing candidates for public office – to replace those who have passively tolerated, or supported incompetence.
The council is there not control the behaviour of residents, at their cost, but to provide cost effective services.
Georgia with her drive for Democratic Liberation and direct democracy, is a breath of fresh air.
Totally agree. party politics has nothing to do with what is essentially an elected overseer position to make sure we “the customer” get the best deal and right services from the council “the management company”
I met Georgia the other day and was struck by her maturity and common sense. Locally born and bred too and she really cares about her city. I hope she wins the seat. I think we’ve all had enough of party-whipped candidates, especially when those parties have betrayed their roots and electorates a long time ago. We have also learned they are never in a position to put the city and its needs first, however well-meaning the candidates may be individually. They are hamstrung from the word go.
Independent Councillor gets my vote. Mainstream parties have let us down everytime. Get a breath of fresh air into local politics rather than the same old stuffy rhetoric.
“The devil you don’t” eh? It’s not an unreasonable position to have, certainly. It’s the mentality that got Trump elected after all. I’d hope you also do your research on the person, and not vote simply because they are grey.
It doesn’t matter the colour of the party, they are all controlled by the Whip, and use top down policies, which are deeply flexed; want to fine and tax us for the Blackholes they have created; and most certainly have absolutely no interest in local schools, businesses, or historic places, which is evident everywhere you look. Not just here, but around the country.
This is not a dig at all other Party Representives, I’m sure, that many join a Party with good intentions, but there must surely be a level of nievity, if they really believe that they are not going to be controlled by the whip!
New Year. Time for a clear out of the Old, and bring in something fresh and New.
Georgia Mackinsley Fitch and the DLP certainly fit that description.
She’s local, born and bred.
Has genuine passion for the people, businesses and historic buildings in the area, with an absolute desire to restore it back to its former glory.
And there’s certainly no flies on Georgia. She is an incredibly bright young lady.
Way to go Georgia!
Party politics aren’t as important as they are made out to be in local government.
It really is time to bring in some fresh air. It’s also great to see a younger candidate who shows a passion for the city and her surroundings. We are all sick of the corporate and non human policies of the old party fixes.
She will get my vote. A very smart and knowledgeable young candidate! Bonus points for not having ties to the big parties too!
She certainly makes good points. I certainly rank her higher than some of the candidates.
Good luck Georgia !
Love from Amanda ( Zinski )
A bright, enthusiastic, vibrant and fresh approach is what Georgia would bring to our council… I highly recommend a vote for Georgia
I think I recognise Georgia from the Cafe in the station?? This is wonderful stuff! Young people with fresh ideas.