He goes on with the usual guff that all candidates spout about working extremely hard to get their message out to the people of Goldsmid and reassures us that his party has far from given up on this ward.  He is hardly going to say we are a pathetic bunch of wasters with no hope of election. “On the contrary” he says “we are campaigning extremely hard to win all three seats in this crucial three way marginal. We passionately believe in our priorities for the ward and the city, and I look forward to the time Brighton & Hove has some of the lowest council tax in the country under a Conservative majority council.” 

Young Conservatives are becoming as bad as New Labour types with their on-massage line, with Tories it is looking forward to the time when “Brighton & Hove has some of the lowest council tax in the country”. 

Responding to a comment I made about the three Tory candidates resembling estate agents, he writes: “I can inform you that I am not an Estate Agent!”  But Rob fails to provide the assurance that neither of his fellow candidates are not estate agents either.  What does this omission tell us?

I am always pleased when some controversy surfaces about those wards with less prominence, and even more delighted when it becomes personal.  The shy and retiring ‘Dr Faust’ hesitated before making this comment given what he perceives as my general view of Green councillors, and my particular “affection for Amy Kennedy”.  In response to the headline that Green councillors take their responsibilities more seriously, have more weight of expectation upon them, and work harder (not my view, I hasten to add) he says that in Preston Park ward it “is certainly not the case”.  He says that it is his experience “that Amy rarely replies to issues raised, other than a ‘holding’ response, whereas the Labour members are more likely to.”

‘Steampunk’ jumps to the Good Lady’s defence.  He writes: “A Labour supporting work colleague from Preston Park recently told me that the two Labour councillors in her ward were pathetic (her words) but she found Amy very diligent.” 

I have previously been known to tease Amy by making made reference to her obsession with baking and her Stassi-style tabards (ok, she only wore it once) but I am happy to say that I have great respect and admiration for her as an unapologetic feminist.  I still think the speech she made in 2009, in which she introduced a successful motion calling on Brighton & Hove City Council to celebrate its leadership of women’s rights by adopting the Fawcett Charter, is worth watching (it can be found on You Tube).

My ‘spies’ in Preston Park ward tell me that Amy has been fantastic as a ward councillor, and several of them involved in the protracted campaign against the development of land alongside London Road station have been so impressed by her that at least two activists (both former Labour Party members) have joined the Green Party.

Preston Park remains one of the most interesting seats in the City, a key battleground between Labour (with two councillors – Kevin Allen and Juliet McCaffery) and the Greens.  Rumours have it that both Juliet and Amy will not be seeking re-election.  In both cases, a great shame.  Perhaps someone could let me know if this is actually the case, and who the candidates are for both Labour and the Greens.

‘Clive’ takes me to task by saying that I you never took up his point regarding David Watkins and Ann Giebeler who ended up as independents, and how little renegade independents seem to prosper. I agree, Clive.  I think it is a shame that there are so few independents elected at local level across the country.  Clive refers to the exception that was Jayne Bennett, but asks, “how renegade was she anyway?”.  Indeed. 

And here ends the latest Doorstep Brighton update – with no mention of Christopher Hawtree.  Oh, damn.  Ruined it …

Previously I have said that Chuck Vere has hit the ground running with a clean, easy to follow website, although she did not like reference to her looking awkward in the photo gallery. The photos are much improved, showing a range of events around the consituency (although none yet on the Number 50 bus from Churchill Square to …. you get the point!)

Caroline Lucas’ website balances her dual life of Super Green in the European Parliament with her campaigning activities in Brighton Pavilion.  The greater emphasis on ‘local’ is much to be applauded, as was her mailing to every home in the consitutuency in early December.  It must have cost a small fortune and cannot be sustained in the long term without an army of supporters in each and every neighbourhood, not just those in the Muesli Belt.

To my horror I discovered I didn’t have a link to the website of Nancy Platts.  I am sincerely sorry for this oversight, one that I have corrected this evening. Nancy’s earlier website has had a fundamental overhaul and is now the equal of those of her two challengers. The Gallery of photos shows her record as a local campaigner that far exceeds that of Caroline and especially that of Chuck.  She has the advantage of being local and having been in place for a couple of years. And she knows where Crabtree Avenue is (Question to CL and CV – Crabtree Avenue is on which bus route …?)

But if you are limited in time because you have a life, perhaps I could draw your attention to a video (also on You Tube) on the Brighton and Hove Green Party website, a speech made earlier in 2009 by Green Councillor Amy Kennedy in which she introduces a successful motion calling on Brighton & Hove City Council to celebrate its leadership of women’s rights by adopting the Fawcett Charter.  The all-women campaign in Brighton Pavilion stands as a beacon highlighting the best in British politics at a time when the political process is in poor health.  Labour, Conservatives and Greens can be equally proud of the three impressive women selected to fight the seat at the General Election.