GENERAL ELECTION: Green's group leader on council to stand in Hove

Phelim Mac Cafferty, who represents Brunswick and Adelaide, said he was ‘thrilled’ to be chosen by his party to contest the seat on Thursday June 8.

Labour MP Peter Kyle, who won the seat off the Conservatives back in 2015, is defending a 1,236 vote majority.

Last time the Greens finished in a distant third in Hove.

Mr Mac Cafferty tweeted: “I am thrilled to have been selected to contest Hove for the Green Party at the general election on 8th June.”

Mr Kyle responded: “Congratulations Phelim, we both know what a privilege it is to represent our parties at such an important time for our country & community.”

The other candidate already announced in Hove is the Lib Dems’ Carrie Hynds. Last week she tweeted: “Announcement of #GE2017 means people now have the chance to vote Liberal Democrat & stop a hard Brexit.”

However reaction from other Labour figures was less positive, with one councillor asking why the Greens were standing candidates in both Hove and Brighton Kemptown, suggesting this would help the Tories in both constituencies.

Davy Jones, who stood for the Greens in Brighton Kemptown in 2015 and is due to stand again in June tweeted: “I’ve been selected - that’s all. We are still trying to get other local parties to discuss how best to prevent any Tory MP being elected here.”

He added: “As I said, I have been selected, that’s all - exactly what the Greens do remains up for grabs and subject to discussion with other parties.”

In Brighton Kemptown Tory MP Simon Kirby is defending a majority of just 690 over Labour

Meanwhile Emily Tester, a Littlehampton town councillor, is set to stand for the Lib Dems in Brighton Kemptown.

She said: “I’m honoured to be representing the Liberal Democrats in Brighton Kemptown. Brighton & Hove voted 68.5 per cent Remain in the EU referendum, and the Liberal Democrats are the only party fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united.”

In the other city constituency Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas polled almost 8,000 more votes than the Labour candidate in 2015.

The next general election was due to be held in 2020 but last week Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap general election.