The battle begins: Conservatives and Greens ponder candidates

You are probably not counting. But there are 285 days to the city council and parliamentary elections: May 7 2015.

The battle, of course, has already begun.

The city needs 24,000 homes. Let's not rush it; councillors have delayed discussion until September.

School catchment areas have to be reviewed. Let's leave it - until after the elections.

Candidates, however, must be chosen. So let's get on with it straightaway. After all, politics is all about priorities.

Brighton and Hove Independent can reveal Conservatives are due to pick their parliamentary candidate for Hove at a selection meeting on Wednesday (July 30).

It can also reveal - in a leaked list of Green Party council candidates - that Ian Davey, the Green councillor who has spearheaded policies on parking, cycling and 20mph zones, has not put his name forward for next May.

Neither has Geoffrey Bowden, the immensely-affable chair of economic development and culture. Nor has Mike Jones, the low-profile Green councillor for Preston Park. Nor has Bill Randall, the veteran former leader of the Greens and a widely-respected housing expert.

Most interestingly, Alex Phillips - currently Green councillor for Goldsmid - has put her name forward for Regency ward, currently held by fellow Greens Jason and Ania Kitcat.

Ms Phillips is due next month to marry Tom Druitt, the man behind the Big Lemon Bus - who is also seeking nomination as a Green Party candidate. In Regency (For the most up-to-date details about council candidates, see page 14.)

Conservatives in Hove are expected to pick from a shortlist of three, including two councillors: Graham Cox, the local favourite who represents Westbourne ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, and Kristy Adams, who represents Newnham ward'¦on Bedford Borough Council in Bedfordshire.

The third contender is expected to be Jo Jameson, known as Jo Heard before her marriage. She stood for Brighton and Hove City Council as an independent in Hangleton and Knoll at the last local elections in May 2011. The trio are vying Mike Weatherley, the sitting MP, announced he would stand down next May.

Mr Cox, 52, is a former police chief. He was the last borough commander of Hove and, as a detective chief superintendent, ran Sussex CID.

Ms Adams, 43, has been the subject of ridicule on Twitter for presenting herself as Hove-based. She has even been dubbed the 'Thameslink councillor'.

Ms Jameson, 46, is the daughter of former Brighton and Hove councillor, Averil Older.