A jubilant Green Party is celebrating its spectacular performance in topping the European elections in Brighton and Hove by focusing its efforts on the General Election and the forthcoming by-election in the Goldsmid ward.

?We are confident we can repeat our performance in the General Election and the Goldsmid by-election,’ said Cllr Bill Randall, Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors.

?In the elections to the European Parliament, we finished 10 per cent ahead of the second placed Tories, and polled more than double the number of votes cast for Labour, who came in a poor third.

?Our only regret is that Cllr Keith Taylor narrowly missed out on becoming the second Green MEP in the South East Region. Under a fairer voting system he would now be on his way to Brussels with our Green MEP Caroline Lucas.

?The success is testament to the huge amount of work by our growing number of members and supporters across the city and by the performance and industry of our 12 Green city councillors and Caroline Lucas.

?The days of Labour claiming that only they can keep out the Tories are over. Goldsmid and Brighton Pavilion will be two straight fights between the Tories and us. We believe we will win both, and we are already campaigning for victory.’

?Indeed, on the basis of these election figures we must now fancy our general election chances in Brighton Kemptown and Hove more than ever.’