The Labour Party has published its manifesto for Brighton and Hove.
The document sets out the policies that the party hopes to implement if it emerges as the largest group on Brighton and Hove City Council in the local elections in May.
It was published as councillors, candidates and supporters gathered for a fundraising dinner at Donatello in Brighton last night (Tuesday 3 March).
The guest speaker was former Home Secretary Alan Johnson who was delayed by a death on the railway between Streatham Common and Balham.
Mr Johnson said that the council and all three parliamentary seats in Brighton and Hove were winnable for Labour.
Councillor Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour opposition group, said: “Our city is crying out for change.
“We need a city council that works, with clear purpose and strong leadership to make sure that basic services residents rely on are delivered.
“We need a council that works for you and your neighbourhood, that works for you and your family, that works for you and your business.
“We need a council that works with the public, private and voluntary sectors to build a better Brighton and Hove together.
“We need a council that delivers secure and well-paid jobs, new and excellent schools and many more truly affordable homes.
“We need a council that works for every resident in every part of the city, from Portslade to Patcham, Hangleton to Saltdean, Westbourne to Moulsecoomb, not just the city centre.
“The Greens have let the city down and have proven they are not up to the job. No other party is offering the credible and sensible plan that we are setting out in our manifesto today.
“Even in these challenging financial times for local councils, there is so much we can do if given the chance and Labour has a team ready to get to work for the city.
“Vote us in on 7 May and Labour will deliver a council that works for you.”
The Labour manifesto – or contract – said that the party’s aims included
- Ensuring cleaner streets, better recycling and a reliable refuse collection service
- Ending youth unemployment
- Building 500 new council homes
- Suspending and reviewing the traffic schemes started by the Greens and returning to a more sensible and better managed approach to transport planning
- Delivering new rights for tenants and proper regulation of landlords
- Tackling poverty and inequality through a Fairness Commission