Simon Burgess: Labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown
Simon Burgess is Labour's candidate to succeed Des Turner as MP for Brighton Kemptown at the next General Election.
Simon Burgess was chosen to contest the seat by an overwhelming majority of local Party members. Des, who indicated in 2006 that he would not be seeking re-election at the end of his third term, welcomed Simon's selection saying "no-one knows the constituency and the communities within it better than Simon, and no-one has a better grasp of the issues important to local people. He will make a first rate MP."
Simon Burgess has lived and raised his family in the constituency for 15 years, and his children go to school locally. He has worked in the NHS, in the transport industry, been a carer, and for the past ten years the assistant and office manager to Des Turner MP. He was his election agent and organiser in the successful campaigns of 1997, 2001 and 2005. He is Vice Chair of Labour's National Policy Forum and a former Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council.
He was first motivated to become involved in politics when he found his local cinema would not admit wheelchair users, and throughout his career has sought to tackle discrimination and inequality wherever it exists. He played a key role in lobbying for a community stadium at Falmer, and fought for a fairer schools admissions system whilst a local councillor and council leader. He was the only local councillor from any political party to join residents demonstrating outside Southern Water's HQ against the proposed sewage works in Peacehaven.
Simon in St James's St: working with traders and residents to improve this area.
He has represented Kings Cliff and Queens Park wards on Brighton and Hove City Council during the past ten years, and was council leader 2006/2007.
A keen cyclist, Simon has pushed for better public transport routes and services across the constituency, and has taken a leading role in defending and promoting the green spaces in and around the city, including local parks, Telscombe Tye, Sheepcote Valley and of course the new South Downs National Park. He championed the policy of ensuring all new housing developments in Brighton include 40% affordable units.
