Brighton and Hove Greens elect new top team

The Brighton and Hove Green Party has elected a new leader – known as a convenor – to succeed Jason Kitcat who stood down at the local elections.

Mr Kitcat wasn’t present at the all-members meeting which chose Phélim Mac Cafferty as his replacement.

The deputies are Councillor Alex Phillips, who will have responsibility for external communications, with Councillor Lizzie Deane and her newly elected council colleague Louisa Greenbaum job-sharing the responsibility for internal communications.

Councillor Mac Cafferty was previously a deputy leader of the Green group on Brighton and Hove City Council.

He is one of six Greens to retain their seat on the council along with Councillor Leo Littman, his challenger for the convenor’s post this evening (Tuesday 12 May).

A party source, who did not want to be named, said: “Tonight’s meeting was rammed, with over 100 members in attendance, reflecting the fact that Brighton and Hove Green Party’s membership now stands at over 2,000.

“The hustings for the convenor and deputies posts were good-natured and it’s evident by the votes cast that the vast majority of members are fully supportive of the newly elected Green leadership team.

“It was noted, however, that Jason Kitcat didn’t do the decent thing by attending this crucial post-election meeting in order to face up to the questions that many members have about our performance in last week’s council elections.

“Although I understand Jason sent a farewell email to his former Green group colleagues, ordinary members have heard nothing from him as outgoing – and defeated – leader of the council and Green group and naturally there is a great deal of frustration and upset about this.”