Seven candidates are standing in a by-election in South Portslade for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council on Thursday 11 January 2024.
The seat became vacant when Labour councillor Les Hamilton resigned.
The seven candidates are Danny John Booth (Green), Benjamin James Franks (Conservative), Jamie Rutherford Gillespie (Independent), Josh Guilmant (Labour), David Timothy Maples (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Georgia Arabella McKinley Fitch (Democratic Liberation Party) and Kenneth Lloyd Rist (Liberal Democrats).
Each candidate received questions about local issues submitted by the public and were asked why they wanted to represent the ward. Below are the responses from Ken Rist, 74, a retired chef.
Why do you want to be a councillor?
To give the people of Portslade a voice and true local representation
Why do you want to stand in this ward?
Portslade is part of a very large Brighton and Hove City Council. I’m not sure that most councillors even know where Portslade is.
It loses out as it’s on the borders of the area and doesn’t get the attention and funding that it should have.
I’ve lived in the area all my life and so know the area and the issues well and so am best placed to represent this ward.
What are the key issues specific to this ward?
In addition to the proposed closure of St Peter’s School, the repositioning of the main Post Office to the top of Station Road.
The consultation was not widely advertised and three sub-post offices have closed, leaving just one open in addition to the main post office.
I’m also concerned about traffic congestion here including lorries from the harbour, infrequent postal delivery services, poor parking including pavement parking, uneven and weed-covered pavements and the neglect of the Portslade Gassie memorial.
Will you toe the party line or go with what the community wants?
I’m very independent-minded, having been born, bred and educated in Portslade. I would look after the local people rather than just following party policies where the needs of the local people and local history may not be known.
Hmm, he covers his points well, but says nothing to issues that matter to anyone under the age of 50.
On the contrary, Ken talks quite a lot about schools, parents and pupils and the effects of the proposed St Peters school closure.
Does that not matter to anyone under 50?
Or is it the name ‘Ken’ that brings you out in ageist hives?
I’m not convinced. He talks of the impact to the parents rather than the young people themselves. Maybe it is how it reads to me?
Does he support the continued leadership of Sir Edward FOb-0ff Davey, or wd he like a new leader before the snowball grows too big?