Victory for Labour as councillors elected in by-elections

Labour has claimed victory in the Kemptown and Queen’s Park by-elections.

Voters went to the polls on Thursday after the two by-elections were called following the resignations of Chandni Mistry and Bharti Gajjar earlier this year.

Milla Gauge was elected for Queen’s Park with 1,241 votes, while Theresa Mackey was the victor in Kemptown with 1,382 votes.

Councillor Gauge said she was “thrilled to be elected” on to Brighton and Hove City Council.

“I am thrilled to have been elected as Labour Councillor for Queen’s Park and truly grateful for everyone who turned out to vote this week,” she said.

“I look forward to joining my new colleagues in the Labour administration and continue to deliver for the residents of Queen’s Park and the city.”

The 47-year-old is an NHS assistant director of programmes, deputy chairwoman of the Grace Eyre Foundation, co-opted governor at Elm Grove Primary School and justice of the peace on the Sussex Adult Crime Bench.

Councillor Mackey, 66, said she felt privileged to be elected.

The retired teacher said she was excited and enthusiastic to “get going on the issues that the ward needs to address”.

She said she wants to address “inequalities in all public policy areas” and that her priorities will be health and housing issues.

She said while campaigning she was struck by the kindness and compassion of residents.

“It is the greatest honour to have been elected by the residents of Kemptown to be their Labour councillor,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone who voted on May 2 and I can’t wait to help my community even more.

“Kemptown is a gem.”

Gathered on the announcement stage at the Brighton Centre the new councillors, joined by colleagues and MP for Kemptown Lloyd Russell-Moyle, cheered and chanted “general election now”.

Deputy leader of the council and Labour Group, Gill Williams, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued faith placed in our administration from the residents of Queen’s Park and Kemptown.

“Milla and Theresa are fantastic candidates that I’m confident will make outstanding councillors in their area. We can’t wait to see the great contributions they make to the Labour administration.

“I’d personally like to thank everyone that turned up to vote for Theresa and Milla yesterday, your support means so much to our administration and our two new councillors.”

Labour took majority control of the city council for the first time in two decades when they won at the local elections a year ago.