Brighton and Hove City Council election, 2011
Encyclopedia
Elections to Brighton and Hove City Council were held on May 5, 2011, in line with other local elections in the United Kingdom
. The whole council, a unitary authority
, was up for election with 54 councillors elected from 21 wards.
The Green Party
made significant gains, overtaking the Conservatives
to become the largest party with 23 seats, the largest Green group on any council. The Greens gained seats at the expense of all three other parties, taking the only ward previously in Liberal Democrat
hands. The Conservatives lost not only to the Greens but to Labour Co-op
candidates in different parts of the city.
The Greens, Conservatives and Labour Co-op fielded candidates for every seat on the council. The Liberal Democrats contested most seats, but decided to only select two candidates in some three seat wards. The UK Independence Party, European Citizens Party and Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts
also fielded candidates. In addition, there were eight independents standing, including current councillor and former Liberal Democrat David Watkins.
Following the election Labour Co-op rejected the possibility of forming a coalition with the Green Party, who then went on to form the first ever Green council administration in the UK.
In the Regency, Goldsmid and St. Peter's & North Laine wards there were by-elections, all of which were won or held by the Green Party. In Brunswick and Adelaide one councillor, David Watkins defected from the Liberal Democrats and stood as an independent in this election. Jayne Bennett, originally elected as an Independent in the 2007 election in the Stanford/Hove Park ward, rejoined the Conservative Party during the course of the council, and stood as such in 2011.
Two ward names were changed during the four-year period: Hollingbury and Stanmer became Hollingdean and Stanmer, and Stanford ward was renamed Hove Park, using the council's powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
.
United Kingdom local elections, 2011
The 2011 United Kingdom local elections were held on Thursday 5 May 2011. In England, direct elections were held in all 36 Metropolitan boroughs, 194 Second-tier district authorities, 49 unitary authorities and various mayoral posts, meaning local elections took place in all parts of England with...
. The whole council, a unitary authority
Unitary authority
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national...
, was up for election with 54 councillors elected from 21 wards.
The Green Party
Green Party of England and Wales
The Green Party of England and Wales is a political party in England and Wales which follows the traditions of Green politics and maintains a strong commitment to social progressivism. It is the largest Green party in the United Kingdom, containing within it various regional divisions including...
made significant gains, overtaking the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
to become the largest party with 23 seats, the largest Green group on any council. The Greens gained seats at the expense of all three other parties, taking the only ward previously in Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
hands. The Conservatives lost not only to the Greens but to Labour Co-op
Labour Co-operative
Labour and Co-operative describes those candidates in British elections standing on behalf of both the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party, based on a national agreement between the two parties....
candidates in different parts of the city.
The Greens, Conservatives and Labour Co-op fielded candidates for every seat on the council. The Liberal Democrats contested most seats, but decided to only select two candidates in some three seat wards. The UK Independence Party, European Citizens Party and Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is a socialist electoral alliance launched in Britain for the 2010 General Election.The coalition was negotiated between groups which had taken part in the No2EU coalition that fought the June 2009 European elections...
also fielded candidates. In addition, there were eight independents standing, including current councillor and former Liberal Democrat David Watkins.
Following the election Labour Co-op rejected the possibility of forming a coalition with the Green Party, who then went on to form the first ever Green council administration in the UK.
Changes between 2007 and 2011 elections
Since the 2007 Council Election there were a number of changes to the make up of the council:In the Regency, Goldsmid and St. Peter's & North Laine wards there were by-elections, all of which were won or held by the Green Party. In Brunswick and Adelaide one councillor, David Watkins defected from the Liberal Democrats and stood as an independent in this election. Jayne Bennett, originally elected as an Independent in the 2007 election in the Stanford/Hove Park ward, rejoined the Conservative Party during the course of the council, and stood as such in 2011.
Two ward names were changed during the four-year period: Hollingbury and Stanmer became Hollingdean and Stanmer, and Stanford ward was renamed Hove Park, using the council's powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.The Act allows for the implementation of many provisions outlined in the Government white paper Strong and Prosperous Communities including changes to local government in England...
.