Last night, the Brighton & Hove Labour Group of Councillors elected Councillor Carmen Appich and Councillor John Allcock as their new co-leaders.

Councillors Appich and Allcock will be job-sharing the role of Labour Group Leader and Leader of the Opposition on Brighton & Hove City Council and will work together as a united team to provide scrutiny and constructive opposition in the best interests of the city.

As part of the co-leadership arrangement, Councillor Appich will be taking on the Lead Finance role for Labour, and both Councillor Appich and Councillor Allcock will sit on the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee.

Between Councillor Appich and Allcock, Labour’s new co-leadership team boasts a wealth of experience in the civil service, local government, and the voluntary and community sector in policy areas such as finance, children’s services, health, equalities and culture, and together they will prove a robust and talented team to stand up for local residents.

Councillor Appich, whilst chairing the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee, was at the forefront of the pledge to make Brighton & Hove an anti-racist council amid Black Lives Matter protests last year. Meanwhile Councillor Allcock, whilst chairing the Children, Young People & Skills Committee, worked closely with schools and parents to navigate the early phases of the pandemic and its impact on education.

Councillor Appich and Councillor Allcock are looking to continue and build on the work of outgoing Leader, Councillor Nancy Platts. In her time leading the Labour Group and the Council, Councillor Platts steered Brighton & Hove through the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, oversaw the building of more council and affordable homes, and set up the city’s first ever climate assembly.

Councillor Carmen Appich said:

“I’m looking forward to working with John and the Labour team to promote our values on the Council, and to provide constructive and effective opposition to the Green administration.

“Together, John and I bring a wide range of skills and experience to this co-leadership, and my background as a public sector accountant means I’m well equipped to lead on finance.

“We believe two minds can be better than one and are pleased to promote the equality, diversity and inclusion benefits of job-shares.”

Councillor John Allcock said:

“I’m pleased to be working alongside Carmen and my colleagues in the Labour Group to lead the opposition on the Council. As a No Overall Control Council, it’s crucial we hold the minority Green administration to account, and work constructively with all parties in the best interests of the city.

“As we look towards an economic recovery, it’s more important than ever to work cross-party to deliver Labour’s Corporate Plan and build a fairer city with a sustainable future.

“Carmen and I have complementary skill-sets and will make a strong team.”