Greens hold flagship Brighton Pavilion seat with new candidate

Sian Berry swept aside her political rivals to retain the Green Party’s flagship seat in Brighton Pavilion.

The former London Assembly member, who has moved to Brighton, retained the seat previously held by Caroline Lucas.

Despite expectations that the battle between Ms Berry and Labour's Tom Gray would be closely fought, the Green Party nearly doubled the Labour votes.

Ms Lucas, who held the seat from 2010 to 2024, has endorsed Ms Berry throughout her campaign.

The former MP told The Argus: "Sian has been here for the last year. This is her home and she has given up her job in London to be here."

Sian Berry was elected with 28,809 votes, a majority of 14,290 over Mr Gray.

Mr Gray took home 14,519 of the votes while the Conservatives and Reform UK lagged behind.

It has been an unprecedented night for the Green Party which won Bristol Central, Herefordshire North and Waveney Valley.

Sian Berry, newly elected as MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in Brighton who has put their trust in me and the Green Party. This is a very special city, and together we’ve made history again.

“I promise to work hard as your new Green MP and make sure your voices are heard in parliament. By voting for me, you have demanded action on the NHS, the water companies, housing, and the climate emergency, and I will be there to make sure the new Government delivers on all these priorities.

"I am infinitely grateful to Caroline Lucas for her support throughout the campaign, and for being such a model of how to be an effective MP for Brighton and the country.

"It’s hard to express my delight at joining Carla Denyer, Adrian Ramsay and Ellie Chowns, I know they will all be brilliant.

"Finally, congratulations to the new Prime Minister elect. I will make sure you take up the good ideas in our Green manifesto without delay."