Kitcat will not seek re-election in May 2015

Cllr Jason Kitcat will stand down at the next council elections in May 2015 and will not seek re-election as a councillor for Regency Ward.

Cllr Kitcat will see out his time as leader of the council but will step down at the next round of local elections in 2015.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman confirmed his decision.

She said: “Brighton and Hove City Council Leader Jason Kitcat has announced that he will not be standing in the next local election.

“Cllr Kitcat will continue as Leader of the Council until May 2015.”

Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group on the council, said:

“Whilst personally I wish Jason Kitcat well in whatever he does next, I would remind everyone that he is remaining in office for another ten months, with another budget and many more vital decisions to make.

“We have a Green council paralysed by division, unable to face tough decisions and to do what’s needed to protect essential services in the face of Conservative cuts.

“I know that many other Green councillors are not seeking re-election, so their days as a political force in the city are numbered.

“Labour will make a major policy announcement next week, and over the coming months will set out why residents should look to us to restore trust in the council, get the basics right and focus on jobs, homes, schools and inequality in the city.”

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald. added: “I can’t say that I’m hugely surprised that Jason has chosen not to seek re-election given all the internal wranglings within the Green Group and the fact that he may have struggled to hold onto his seat at the next election. There must also be a concern that he now becomes a ‘lame duck’ Leader of the Council without the authority to take the tough Budget decisions that will be required later this year and next. However, on a personal level I wish Jason and his family all the best in whatever they decide to do in the future. We may disagree on a lot of things in politics but I have always found him a courteous and straightforward person to deal with.”