The Conservatives have picked an 18-year-old student as the party’s candidate in the upcoming Goldsmid by-election for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council.
The party said: “Louis Bird has been selected by Brighton and Hove Conservatives to be their candidate for the Goldsmid by-election on Thursday 25 June.
“The selection was formally endorsed by the party’s Executive Council on Saturday (23 May).
Born and raised in the city, Louis is currently a student at BHASVIC where he is studying mathematics, history and politics.
The Conservative Pary said: “Passionate about translating political theory into real action, he is an active member of the Conservative Party’s officer team and recently founded a Young Conservatives group in the area.
Mr Bird said: “I want to make a real difference. I’ve witnessed first-hand how our local services have deteriorated – schools and libraries closing, parks and green spaces under threat.
“Labour doesn’t listen. That is why I’m standing: to fight for Goldsmid and to restore pride in our community.”
He added: “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to represent the Conservatives in this important by-election.
“If elected, I will work tirelessly to serve the residents of Goldsmid ward. While Labour and the Greens have proved deeply disappointing, together we can turn things around. Join us”
The seat became vacant when the former mayor of Brighton and Hove, Jackie O’Quinn, resigned from the council earlier this month.
NO
An unexpected choice of candidate for the party; I can see the reward for setting up a YCG. It’ll be a great experience for him if he has a passion for local politics.
This is too young to be making decisions about the spending of millions of pounds of public money.
On the other hand a certain Deputy Leader in charge of a £1bn city budget got promoted to this role only three weeks after becoming a first time councillor, and when former Council Leaders had managed with only ONE Deputy Leader so why does Sankey need two at unsolicited public expense?
…and what was that councillor’s very relevant and highly skilled role before they became a councillor in charge of a city budget?
So —- What do we want of our local politicians?
We want enthusiastic people prepared to tackle local issues for local people.
We want people with sound and proven management skills – preferable honed in the city via public and private involvement (business, charity, union, civic societies etc)
We want people who understand the value of family and community.
We want a safe pair of hands.
What we don’t want or need is a ‘party man’ whose first allegiance is to whichever political cabal they’ve aligned with.
We don’t want people who see the job as a stepping stone to Westminster.
We don’t want people with little or no experience of the real world.
This candidate does not fit the needs of the people Goldsmid ward…..
And some of the comments here are one of the reasons why young people don’t want to get involved in politics and public service.
There are similar comments on the article about the Green candidate who is 22.
Councils need a range of members with a range of life experiences. Young people have views and they are just as valid as those of older people.
When I first started going to council meetings in my home town in the early 80’s every member – no matter the party – was white, middle aged (or older) and mostly men
Yet there they were making decisions about youth clubs and play grounds and what young mothers needed without any input from ‘young people’ on what they wanted or needed.
Councils need young people on them if they are to reflect the citizens they provide services to.
Well said, young people in particular are going to be more important than ever, with 16 year olds been empowered to vote.
Absolutely Chris. Let’s have some five year olds determining how the education budget is spent. After all, if any of the main political parties think kids of that age will vote for them, they’ll give them the vote too.
No it needs people who are committed to this city not to their party.
I like many others are fed-up with national parties OF ALL SIDES….
We want our councils to reflect the needs of the people not their crackpot political masters.
Let’s hope he doesn’t want to go onto university elsewhere. That’s four years in Brighton, working tirelessly but you’ve probably gathered that as a maths student and worked out there is not much chance of you winning.
Good luck all the same. We need a cross section of society in our councils.
I miss the small government no nonsense politics of the conservatives, so I wish Louis all the best.
The last thing we need is another Labour Councillor!
Good luck Louis – there are very few councillors below aged 30 in B&H and none in their teens. You will be a great inspiration to our youth – good luck