The former Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, has defected to the Greens.
Mr Russell-Moyle won the seat from the Conservatives in June 2017, with a majority of almost 10,000, and served as an MP for seven years.
He held the seat at the December 2019 election, with a majority of more than 8,000. His vote share had increased
But after the July 2024 general election had been called, Mr Russell-Moyle was suspended, preventing him from being able to stand.
He said that the complaint was “vexatious and politically motivated” and it was not subsequently upheld.
But because he had been suspended, the party parachuted in a candidate, Chris Ward, a longstanding member of the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s inner circle.
Mr Ward won the seat, which had been renamed Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, with a majority of 9,609.
Now, Mr Russell-Moyle, 39, who briefly served as a member of Brighton and Hove City Council, has switched to the Greens whose vote share soared in the seat in July last year.
Since being exonerated by a Labour Party investigation of the complaint that led to his suspension, Mr Russell-Moyle has provided casework support in the constituency of a Labour MP who was unwell.
He became a frequent guest on GB News, the right-wing broadcaster, offering a left-of-centre voice on the channel, and since August he has been the chief executive of the Woodcraft Folk, a children’s movement.
During his years in the House of Commons, he worked with neighbouring MPs, including the former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas who represented Brighton Pavilion from 2010 until July last year.
Mr Russell-Moyle said: “For almost 10 years, I worked alongside Caroline as the MP next door.
“My old party has left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives, their communities and the world around them.
“In the Greens, I see a party that is offering that. In the Greens, I see a party I have worked with for years and I am making the jump to join them today. I urge others to do so too.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “I am delighted to welcome Lloyd to the party today. Lloyd will bring a huge amount to the Green Party.
“His story is one that is all too familiar – abandoned in the interest of power and profit over people and principles.
“Lloyd and tens of thousands like him have not left the Labour Party. The Labour Party has left them.
“Today, the Green Party has over 150,000 members and is polling second to Reform. The Greens are the home of progressive politics and we’re making hope normal again.”
The party said: “The Green Party of England and Wales will be selecting candidates for the 2029 General Election in summer 2026. All selections are decided by a ballot of local party members.”
