Yes, I know categorising Brexit and Trump with what happened in Withdean is a tad extreme but, believe me, it was just as shocking.
A previously safe Conservative Ward – all three seats – fell to the Greens.
Even so, I would like to publicly and warmly congratulate Sarah Nield, Steve Davies and Jamie Lloyd on their victory and the hard work they put in. I am sure that the whole ward will benefit from their commitment.
They seized the opportunity previously opened up by Sue Shanks in 2011 until the Conservatives won back her seat four years ago.
Sadly for me and my fellow candidates the Brexit debacle and also some issues closer to home left us short on the core support that we were relying on this time around.
Although as someone who grew up on a council estate in Hangleton, representing Withdean and Westdene as a Tory councillor would have been a proud moment, my thoughts are with Nick Taylor.
Nick was a superb and popular councillor. Now an ex-councillor. The chamber will be a poorer place without him.
This hugely intelligent and engaging young man is an inspiration to many in the local party and is supported brilliantly by his family, especially his parents Steve and Val and his sister Lauren.
I’d like to thank my own wife for her support and patience when I have been out in the ward when I could have been at home for bathtime and bedtime reading with our children.
This is the lot of the candidate and often to those closest to him or her.
I should also like to thank my other running mate Steve Wade and his family – and Heather Newberry-Martin and Kath Janio for their hard work, so much of it unseen behind the scenes, in the party’s office.
The realisation that there is not a single Tory seat in Withdean for the first time since 1996 is a massive shock locally but not totally unexpected in some quarters I have heard in the last day or so.
I hope that the lessons learnt ensure that nationally but more importantly in this regard, locally, the Conservatives can take stock, regroup and – as they say at Brighton and Hove Albion – work together going forward.
Tim Hodges was a Conservative candidate in Withdean at the Brighton and Hove City Council elections.
