Lloyd Russell-Moyle, former MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven from 2017-2024, has today joined the Green Party of England and Wales. Russell-Moyle served as the Labour MP for the constituency – which neighbours longstanding Green seat Brighton Pavillion – from 2017-2024.

He was not permitted to stand as Labour’s candidate for the seat in the 2024 General Election following a ‘vexatious and politically motivated’ complaint which many saw as a deliberate move by Labour’s leadership to remove the leftwing MP. Chris Ward, a longstanding Starmer ally, was imposed as the Labour Party’s candidate against the wishes of many local members.

Russell-Moyle joins the Green Party at a time where the party’s membership and popularity are surging. Since the election of Zack Polanski as leader just ten weeks ago, the party has seen its membership increase by nearly 100,000 and has skyrocketed in popularity, now consistently the second party in national voting intention polls.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle was a prominent figure on the left of the Labour party. He is a longstanding advocate for the people of Palestine, a vocal advocate for the rights of trans and non-binary people, and a committed environmental activist.

Lloyd has also resigned from the national executive of the Socialist Education Association and is a former member of the Socialist Campaign Group.

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.

Quotes

Lloyd Russell-Moyle said ‘For almost ten years I worked alongside Caroline [Lucas] 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.’

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales 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’

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