CITY COUNCIL BY-ELECTION STRENGTHENS GREENS' GRIP ON BALANCE OF POWER

Brighton and Hove's six Green councillors now hold the overall balance of
power on Brighton and Hove City Council following last night's Labour loss
of a seat in a by-election to the Tories.

Labour had been well short of an overall majority since the May 2003 local
elections but the party had been able to run the £500 million a year
council with the unquestioning support of the small Lib Dem group of
councillors.

Now one seat down after losing the Hangleton &Knoll Ward by-election in
Hove, Labour must negotiate with the Greens if they are to ensure their
policies are to gain the backing of the Council.

Green Convenor Councillor Keith Taylor said: "While I'd prefer to have
another Green elected, the effect on the balance of power in the city
council is excellent news and opens the door seriously for Green politics
in the city."

"For any measure to go through it will require th