The Liberal Democrats have selected the party’s candidate to stand in a by-election in Hove next month.
Kim Leyland-Walker, 43, has been chosen to stand in the Goldsmid by-election for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council after former councillor Jackie O’Quinn stood down.
The Lib Dem candidate works in insurance and lives just outside the ward, having moved to Hove more than 10 years ago.
The party said: “The Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats are pleased to introduce Kim Leyland-Walker to be their candidate for the upcoming by-election in Goldsmid.
“Kim has lived in Hove for nearly 11 years, with her wife, after growing up in west London. She loves everything about our wonderful city.
“Kim, who now works in the insurance industry, is not university educated but started her working life at 16 working in care homes. She then worked for a civil engineering and construction company for 12 years.”
Kim said: “I understand what it is like to work your socks off just to survive. I know that the cost of living is at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“And I can understand the sense of unfairness when we pay so much in taxes and feel we don’t get the service we should.
“I am a volunteer with the Brighton and Hove Tidy Up Team and enjoy rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in to helping look after our beautiful city the way it deserves to be looked after.
“I am a great believer in the saying ‘be the change you want to see’.
“I like to think I am not like ‘any other politician’. I know that the one thing that really destroys our faith in our democracy is when promises are made and broken.
“So, I won’t be promising that I can fix all your problems overnight but I do say that I will be available to listen to your issues and be your voice on the council to ensure your concerns are heard and acted upon.”
The Lib Dems said: “Kim joined the Liberal Democrats because she knows they are the party to get things done and she promises to represent you with hard work, honesty and integrity.”
The by-election is due to take place on Thursday 25 June.
