THE Green Party announced today (6 February) that Councillor Brett Wright has defected from the Eastbourne Liberal Democrats and joined the Green Party.
Cllr Brett Wright was elected to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) in the Meads electoral division as a Lib Dem in 2023, but has crossed the floor to join the Green Party, it’s been revealed.
Mr Wright said: “It’s been a sad decision for me personally to leave the Lib Dems. At the end of the day, though, I need to belong in political party which better aligns with my values and enables me to put the residents of Meads first. As a Green Councillor, I now have support from a party that shares my faith that, together, we can make transformative differences to local people’s lives.
“I’ll be getting on with the hard work there is to do, taking an open and collaborative approach with my new Green colleagues as well as those from other parties, to protect our communities from the council’s disastrous Conservative administration.”
However, the news has been met with calls for Councillor Wright to resign his seat, which would trigger a by-election.
Both Eastbourne Conservatives and Liberal Democrats say residents who placed their faith in Wright have been left without the representation they voted for.
Cllr Robert Smart, Leader of the Conservative opposition, said: “The honourable course of action is clear. Councillor Wright should resign and fight a by-election under his new colours.
“This is the third resignation from the Eastbourne Liberal Democrats in less than a year, revealing a party more preoccupied with political infighting than the priorities of Eastbourne residents. At a time when the Council faces severe financial pressure, residents deserve better than yet another Lib Dem representative walking away from the promises they were elected on.
“It’s worth noting that the Green Party polled just 3.9% at the last election in Meads. Cllr Wright has joined a party that campaigns for drug decriminalisation, abolishing NATO and open-door migration. Last year, when the Home Office announced plans to place hundreds of single male asylum seekers at the Esperance in the heart of Meads, it was left to Conservative councillors to oppose this. Now we know why. Cllr Wright has joined a party that actively supports these policies.”
Meanwhile, Councillor David Tutt, Leader of the Eastbourne Liberal Democrats, says the party learnt the news after Cllr Wright was seen filming with the Green Party.
Cllr Tutt told Eastbourne News: “He was elected to East Sussex County Council as a Liberal Democrat councillor by the people of Meads, shortly after Meads elected their first ever Liberal Democrat councillor to Eastbourne Borough Council.
“Residents and Liberal Democrat activists will understandably feel very let down by Cllr Wright’s defection today.
“Whilst I am disappointed he has chosen to join the Green Party, given that just 3.9% of people voted Green at the last council election in Meads, I would ask him to consider allowing the residents of Meads to decide who best represents them. Our focus remains fully on standing up for the people of Meads, Eastbourne and East Sussex.”
Rachel Millward, Deputy Leader of the Green Party and candidate to be the first Mayor of Sussex & Brighton, said: “The Green Party is the future of progressive politics. Since September, our membership has tripled and dozens of councillors have defected to us – it is clear that we have the momentum to drive positive change. Cllr Brett Wright shares our belief that – by coming together – we can build a fairer, greener country. I look forward to working alongside him in the months and years ahead and know that he will continue to be a passionate advocate for the residents of Meads.”
“Cllr Wright’s defection to the Greens means that there are now six Green Party councillors at ESCC, making them the third largest political group.”
