The Liberal Democrats have chosen former Hove and Portslade parliamentary candidate Michael Wang to stand for the party in a council by-election.
Mr Wang, 30, an immigration law practitioner, hopes to win a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council in Westbourne and Poets’ Corner ward.
The seat became vacant when Labour councillor Leslie Pumm resigned earlier this month, citing his health.
The Lib Dems said: “The Liberal Democrats have selected Michael Wang to be their candidate for the upcoming by-election in Westbourne and Poets’ Corner.
“Michael is an immigration law practitioner who is proud to call Brighton and Hove home.
“He stood as the Lib Dem candidate for Hove and Portslade in the last general election.
“Michael is a champion for the local community. He believes that the council desperately needs a strong and competent voice, independent of Labour-Green in-fighting, who takes residents’ views and issues seriously.
“He will also bring much-needed diversity to the council chamber.
Mr Wang said: “We live in an amazing city, one that is creative and vibrant, one that ought to be world-class.
“But our residents feel neglected by a council who consistently underdelivers, from housing to bins to education.
“To top it off, the cost of living being increased by a giant ‘vertical pier’ feels like a further kick in the teeth.
“If elected, I’m determined to get in the chamber, roll up my sleeves and provide some real scrutiny and accountability to the Labour-Green back-and-forth that’s failing our city.”
Mr Wang, a keen pianist in his spare time, also serves as a trustee for Brighton and Hove Citizens Advice.
Does he live in the ward? Or anywhere near the ward? Guessing not, as the LibDems simply say he ‘calls Brighton & Hove home’.
Yes, Michael lives in Brighton and he’s very much part of our city.
Is the guy who finished last place when he stood in the general election?
I believe that was a UKIP candidate?
UKIP didn’t have a candidate in Hove & Portslade in 2024 but if you mean Reform he finished behind both the Reform candidate and an independent candidate.
I’m thinking of the Local Elections on 4th May, 2023. Patricia Mountain came last with 1% of the vote.
https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=195&RPID=0
Apparently Michael is a champion for the local community but nobody ever hears from him. What has he done to champion Westbourne?
The Lib Dems talk about the ‘to and fro’ of Green-Labour. Perhaps they should check the last local elections which resulted in a huge Labour Majority. There is no ‘to and fro’. Only an administration that is delivering on a city manifesto people voted for.
There is no ‘to and fro’. Onl
I must have missed that! I am so far waiting to even get a response to my emails in the Queen’s Park ward… Labour is taking votes for granted and the entire city would benefit from some healthy political competition!
Bless him but really, i don’t think that one Lib Dem in the council chamber will amount to much in the way of opposition but bless him for trying.
You know what though, I have great respect for anyone who puts themselves forward.