Most Labour members have an affection for Brighton from attending Conference there, and many will know that all three parliamentary seats in the city were won by Labour in 1997.
Brighton Kemptown stretches from the pier out to the Peacehaven boundary with Newhaven in the east, and to Sussex University in the north. After three terms incumbent MP Des Turner is retiring, and Simon Burgess is the Labour and Co-operative candidate defending a notional 1,800 majority against a wealthy Tory opponent and a Conservative Association that was receiving Ashcroft funding as far back as 2005.
The seat is Tory target number 29, and whilst the Greens are not the threat they are (or were) in neighbouring Pavilion, there is still work needed to remind potential switchers which constituency they are in, as well as fight the Tories in the diverse estates, urban communities and villages stretching east along the coast. A minority Tory administration on the city council grows increasingly unpopular as it favours “window dressing” projects like painting seafront railings and planting flower beds over funding children’s centres, school transport and youth centres.
A Labour majority depends on holding seats like this. A recent local poll put Labour one per cent ahead here, so £500 towards targetted mailings to key undecided voters could make all the difference.
Donate to Simon’s campaign in Brighton Kemptown
Candidate: Simon Burgess
Seat: Brighton Kemptown
Currently held by: Labour
Majority: 1800 (notional)
Candidate website: www.simonburgess.org