Conservatives in Brighton and Hove '˜welcome' snap election

Mr Kirby is the city’s only Conservative MP, with a seat in Brighton Kemptown.

Brighton Pavilion is held by The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas, and Hove by Labour’s Peter Kyle.

But today (April 18), Prime Minister Theresa May announced she intended to call a snap general election on June 8 this year - in just over seven weeks’ time.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Conservative Group on the city council, said: “I wholeheartedly agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that we cannot continue with the divisions within Westminster and threats to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union over Brexit.

“A general election at this stage, prior to detailed negotiations with Europe, will give the government a clear mandate from the people of our country to get the best deal for Britain and I have every faith in Theresa May that she will do exactly that.”

“The [Conservative] Group is delighted that Simon Kirby intends to stand again in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven as he has served as a great MP since his election in 2010. We will also be firmly backing the fantastic individuals campaigning to be the next local Conservative MP in Hove and Portslade and Brighton Pavilion who will be announced shortly.”

Earlier today, Mr Kirby said: “I can confirm that, following confirmation of re-selection by my local association, I will be proud to stand again as parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven. I will continue to do my best to support our Prime Minister Theresa May and be a loud voice locally and in Parliament for local residents.

“We need this election now to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond.

“The choice is between strong and stable leadership in the national interest with Theresa May and the Conservatives or a weak and unstable coalition government led by Jeremy Corbyn. An election now will give the country stability and certainty for a full five years, not just up to the point at which we leave the European Union but beyond it too.”

Caroline Lucas, The Green Party co-leader who holds Brighton Pavilion, also welcomed the announcement of a snap general election.

She said: “Britain is at a crossroads – and today’s announcement means that people are rightly given a say over the direction this country is going to take. Only the Green Party offers a bold, positive vision for a different kind of Britain. At this election we will stand for an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few; a Britain that’s open to the world and the protection of our precious environment. We will stand up to the politics of hatred and division that is scarring our communities and give people across the country a chance to vote for a better Britain.”

Cllr Warren Morgan, the Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, pledged his support for Hove’s Labour MP.

He said: “I will be spending the coming weeks remaining focussed on leading Brighton and Hove, while backing reelection of the excellent @peterkyle.”