Labour candidates play down chances

Labour candidates Simon Burgess and Celia Barlow admitted their hopes were not high as they arrived at the counting centre at the Brighton Centre tonight. Mr Burgess, standing in Kemptown, said he had been amazed by the enthusiasm of Labour supporters and expected plenty of votes but his hopes of a win had been tempered by the national exit polls, which showed a Tory swing that would take his seat. Mrs Barlow said she had been pleased with local polling for her Hove constituency but was similarly cautious after the national poll. Green and Tory supporters arriving at the centre said they were pleased with the day but were not claiming any successes yet.