Young activists from across the country supported Green councillors fighting for majority control of the council in May.

Campaigners attended an event this weekend to back candidates aged 30 and under who are hoping to be elected in the Brighton and Hove local election in around five weeks’ time.

The Green Party, which has minority control of the council, is hoping voters will elect the UK’s first majority Green administration.

Currently, three of the party’s 20 councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council are aged 30 or younger, including deputy leader of the council Hannah Allbrooke, who is the youngest person to hold the position.

The other two, Amy Heley and Martin Osborne, have announced they will not run for re-election in May.

Cllr Allbrooke said the Greens’ group of younger councillors had many accomplishments and helped improve the city.

She said: “Young people are often shut out of politics but young Green councillors in Brighton and Hove have made a real positive impact on our city.

“Over the last four years, the city has had three young Green councillors, all in senior leadership positions.

“With the average age of a councillor being 60, it is so important to increase diversity in politics to ensure that a variety of voices can be heard

“Some of my proudest achievements over the last four years include becoming the first council to sign the Power of Youth Charter, leading to a pilot mentoring scheme of councillors and young people, as well as care-experienced young people now taking a leading role in our corporate parenting board.

“We have offered young people travel for 50p off-peak or free when accompanied by an adult on bus services and are investing in building youth centres across the city.

“When you elect Greens, Greens take action.”

The Argus:

Six young candidates will be standing for the Green Party in the May election in Brighton and Hove:

  • Alexander Sallons - Goldsmid
  • Chloe Goldsmith - Regency
  • Daniel Rue - Patcham and Hollingbury
  • Hannah Allbrooke - Brunswick and Adelaide
  • Raphael Hill - Round Hill
  • Renato Marques - Westbourne and Poets’ Corner

One of the candidates, Alexander Sallons, said: “The current generation of young people have been disproportionately hit by the cost-of-living crisis and precarious work in the hospitality and retail sectors.

“I look forward to continue in the footsteps of councillors like Hannah Allbrooke, Amy Heley and Martin Osborne, who have represented the voices of young people in the council chamber.”

Voters will go to the polls across Brighton and Hove on May 4 to elect 54 councillors to represent them for the next four years.

In a first for residents in the city, people will need to show a form of photo identification on election day in order to cast their ballot at a polling station.

Those who do not have a suitable form of ID can apply for a voter authority certificate free from the government’s website.