Counting under way in Queen’s Park by-election

Counting is under way in the Queen’s Park by-election for a seat on Brighton and Hove City Council.

Candidates, agents and supporters gathered at Hove Town Hall this morning (Friday 19 September) as the ballot boxes were opened.

The number of ballots cast was being verified first before staff counted the number of votes cast for each candidate.

The results are expected at about lunchtime, with turnout just 2,351 from an electorate of 7,065 or 33.28 per cent.

Six candidates are standing. They are Simon Charleton (Labour), Sunny Choudhury (Conservative), Rudi Dikty-Daudiyan (Liberal Democrat), Adrian Hart (Independent), Marina Lademacher (Green) and John Shepherd (Reform UK).

The seat became vacant when Labour councillor Tristram Burden resigned, citing a conflict of interest in his new job as a local authority inspector at the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

It is the second by-election in the two-member ward since the local elections in May 2023.

Just over a year ago Milla Gauge held the seat for Labour after Chandni Mistry resigned.

At the local elections in May 2023, Labour won a majority, with 38 of the 54 seats.

The Greens won seven seats, the Conservatives six and the Brighton and Hove Independents two. One Independent was elected.

Before Tristram Burden resigned, there were 36 Labour councillors, eight Greens, five Tories, three Independents and Brighton and Hove Independents.