The former Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, has defected to the Greens.
Mr Russell-Moyle won the seat from the Conservatives in June 2017, with a majority of almost 10,000, and served as an MP for seven years.
He held the seat at the December 2019 election, with a majority of more than 8,000. His vote share had increased
But after the July 2024 general election had been called, Mr Russell-Moyle was suspended, preventing him from being able to stand.
He said that the complaint was “vexatious and politically motivated” and it was not subsequently upheld.
But because he had been suspended, the party parachuted in a candidate, Chris Ward, a longstanding member of the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s inner circle.
Mr Ward won the seat, which had been renamed Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, with a majority of 9,609.
Now, Mr Russell-Moyle, 39, who briefly served as a member of Brighton and Hove City Council, has switched to the Greens whose vote share soared in the seat in July last year.
Since being exonerated by a Labour Party investigation of the complaint that led to his suspension, Mr Russell-Moyle has provided casework support in the constituency of a Labour MP who was unwell.
He became a frequent guest on GB News, the right-wing broadcaster, offering a left-of-centre voice on the channel, and since August he has been the chief executive of the Woodcraft Folk, a children’s movement.
During his years in the House of Commons, he worked with neighbouring MPs, including the former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas who represented Brighton Pavilion from 2010 until July last year.
Mr Russell-Moyle said: “For almost 10 years, I worked alongside Caroline as the MP next door.
“My old party has left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives, their communities and the world around them.
“In the Greens, I see a party that is offering that. In the Greens, I see a party I have worked with for years and I am making the jump to join them today. I urge others to do so too.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “I am delighted to welcome Lloyd to the party today. Lloyd will bring a huge amount to the Green Party.
“His story is one that is all too familiar – abandoned in the interest of power and profit over people and principles.
“Lloyd and tens of thousands like him have not left the Labour Party. The Labour Party has left them.
“Today, the Green Party has over 150,000 members and is polling second to Reform. The Greens are the home of progressive politics and we’re making hope normal again.”
The party said: “The Green Party of England and Wales will be selecting candidates for the 2029 General Election in summer 2026. All selections are decided by a ballot of local party members.”
The main thing I’m surprised at is how silenced local councillors in Brighton are and that more of them haven’t jumped ship.
Surely Labour Party members must be appalled by their party trying to mirror Reform. If their pursuit of power is so great that they blindly stick to party loyalty over and above having any moral backbone, it really is a sad state of affairs.
To Lloyds credit, even after he was shafted by Labour and not allowed to stand when they drafted Keir’s buddy Chris Ward in, he said loyal words about Labour and didn’t automatically criticise his party. I’m not surprised though he’s appalled by the path his former party have gone down since and has had enough.
Echoes of the general silence around our (former) deputy mayor and (former) Labour councillor Ty Galvin who has been suspended by Labour following complaints.
It seems that Hanover & Elm Grove now have a forced independent as Ty has been disappeared by the party with scant reference to or concern of those he represents.
That absolute numpty will fit right in there
Hell Yeah. Chris is going to be sweating
This is brilliant news, I voted for Lloyd when he was Labour and I’ll vote for him again now he’s Green.
This is hysterical, he’ll fit right in with Polanski’s militia of pro-Palestine non binary Marxists. I remember a time when the Greens actually talked about green issues, those days are gone.
Sad you’ve missed the ecoside that’s Gaza, as well as the genocide.
Do you know what defines a Marxist and those elements of the Green Party manifesto which precisely align with the philosophy?
Good for him. Only surprise is it didn’t happen sooner. Should easily win his old seat back next election and I look forward to having him as my local MP once more. Was always an excellent constituency MP
Curious timing, Lloydy. Could worry over the fallout from a certain court win earlier this week coming down the line play a part? Or betrayal over a certain promised mayoralty be the final straw? Not a pretty sight when friends fall out, is it?
Good riddance
Well done Lloyd, I’ve voted Green for over 30 years and now my vote will help re-elect you in 2029. Shame about Labour but these days, if you want a soiled right wing government they are now just one of the three choices.