Ward profile: Hanover and Elm Grove

Candidates (Three seats)

Rachel Bates (Conservative)

Lettie Egan (Conservative)

Dominic Helfgott (Conservative)

David Gibson (Green) - @davidinhanover

Dick Page (Green) - @dicpagebrighton

Hollie Wharam-Moscrop (Green) - @HollieWharam

*Emma Daniel (Labour) - @huxley06

Ivor Fried (Labour) - @IvorFried

Chris Taylor (Labour)

Andrew Oliver (Liberal Democrats)

Phil Clarke (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Poll watch

Muesli Mountain. It is a cliché that requires a mention in every local newspaper article about politics and Hanover and Elm Grove. So we may as well get it over with as soon as possible.

Stereotypically, it is the densely-populated domain of healthy-eating, Guardian-reading, tree-defending, no-fracking, caring professsional couples, with 2.4 bicycles.

The victory of Emma Daniel in a by-election in July 2013 - overturning a Green majority of more than 900 - galvanised Labour activists into believing they really could turn the Green tide in the city.

Ms Daniel - new to party politics, but with a good heart and an established record in service in the third sector '“ helped engender a long-lost sense of momentum among Labour grassroots.

Several factors were on her side: a refuse workers' dispute that split the Greens; a concentrated campaign by Labour's small army of "super-activists" from across the city;and - crucially, perhaps - a vote during the university holidays. More than one in four residents are students aged 18 or older.

Can the momentum be maintained on May 7? Well, a refuse workers' dispute is beginning to boil again and Sussex University term does not start until May 11.

It is certainly possible the Greens can regain lost ground. But if Labour win all three seats, they would be heading for majority control.

2013 by-election results (July 11 2013, after the resignation of Councillor Matt Follett)

Candidates                          Votes (%)  

Emma Daniel (Labour) 1,396  (40%)

David Stuart Gibson (Green) 1,358 (39%)

Robert John Knight (Conservative) 275 (8%)

Patricia Ann Mountain (UKIP) 250  (7%)

Phil Clarke (Trade Union and Socialists Against Cuts) 172 (5%)

Lev Eakins (Liberal Democrats) 56 (2%)

2011 election results

Candidates                                      Votes (%) 

Bill Randall (Green - elected) 2,861 (19%)

Matt Follett (Green - elected) 2,800 (18%)

Liz Wakefield (Green - elected) 2,576 (17%)

Leo Barraclough  (Labour) 1,662 (11%)

Tracey Hill (Labour) 1,661 (11%)

David Speirs (Labour) 1,606 (11%)