Chandni Mistry

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Chandni Mistry
FRSA
Councillor
Personal details
Born (2003-11-06) 6 November 2003 (age 20)
Leicester, England, United Kingdom.
Other political
affiliations		Independent (until 4 March 2024), Labour (until 4 December 2023)
EducationImperial College London
OccupationStudent

Chandni Mistry FRSA (born 6 November 2003)[1][2] is a British politician. She has served Queen's Park Brighton since 2023, administered by the Brighton and Hove City Council, England, United Kingdom. Formerly part of the British Labour Party, she sat as an independent in local government until March 2024.[3]

Early life and education[edit]

Mistry is a British Hindu,[4] originally from Leicester, East Midlands, brought up in Brighton.[5] Mistry studied at a non-selective government school, completed A-levels at an earlier than average age, and went on to read medicine with surgery at Imperial College London.[5]

Political career[edit]

Mistry was selected as the Labour candidate for local government in Queen's Park, Brighton.[when?] Seven candidates stood for the two seat ward.[6] Mistry was elected with a vote majority of 1,702 (29%).[7][8]

Aged 19,[8][9] she was the youngest female BAME candidate to contest the election. On election Mistry became the youngest councillor on Brighton and Hove City Council, referred to as the baby of the council.[10]

Mistry was elected on 4 May 2023 as part of Labour's landslide victory against the incumbent Greens Green Party, the first Labour win in twenty years.[7] Mistry was one of two Hindu councillors.[4] She was appointed on the Childrens, Families and Schools Committee, the Equalities, Community Safety and Human Rights Committee, Members Advisory Group on Grants and Youthwise.[11]

In November 2023, Mistry had the Labour party whip temporarily removed a few working hours prior to the deadline of Labour Brighton Pavilion MP seat, due to a Labour Party investigation [12][1] The Labour Party would not confirm the subject of the investigations and the reason for the investigation was also not revealed, Mistry was later expelled from the Labour Party.[5][13] She has received personal support from cross-party and local community members of Queen's Park and beyond.[12] Mistry was placed under investigation for concerns raised about her residence[14] and she publicly claimed there was no proven electoral fraud as police investigations continued.[15] Mistry received calls from Labour to stand down as she left one full council meeting in chambers earlier than usual, whilst some councillors did not attend.[16] Mistry later confirmed it was a tough decision and she had not left chambers earlier than the end of deputations in local government chambers previously.[17][16]

Mistry announced her resignation as councillor in March 2024, she later delivered her resignation stating "I will always cherish the memories of my time representing Queen’s Park" and she continued, "Thank you to the brilliant council officers I have worked with and to all the residents who elected me aged only 19 to be their voice."[9][8][3]

Public image[edit]

Mistry in her constituency, 2024

Mistry confirmed in January 2023 that there was no proven electoral fraud,[15] the police later confirmed that the investigation was closed as there was insufficient evidence supporting any allegations of electoral fraud. She was unsure why these concerns were raised. The allegations were raised by a Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown in the press but the MP was later suspended for poor conduct.[8][18]

In February 2024, amidst negative media coverage, Mistry also sought reputation management from a leading international law firm, Mischon de Reya for alleged defamation.[19]

Mistry via her representation Mr Abbas Lakha KC, said: “Any suggestion of involvement in fraudulent activity is denied. The suggestion is untrue, unsubstantiated and offensive. Our client has worked hard for the benefit of the community both before and after her election.”[18]

Awards and recognition[edit]

Mistry speaking at an international conference in London

In November 2023, Mistry become a finalist from 300 nominations for the extremely competitive 14th annual councillor awards, the only national award to celebrate and showcase works of individual councillors [20] She was externally nominated and became a finalist for Young Councillor Of The Year for her dedication to community betterment and for "Her tangible contributions, from securing fresh amenities for children’s play areas to advocating for positive mental health, showcase her as an inspirational leader who exemplifies the spirit of dedicated public service" and "for vital contributions of representatives of local authorities and unwavering dedication to serving their constituents" as explained by the Local Government Information Unit."[21][22] Mistry accepted the national award nomination at the Guildhall in London.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Councillors urged to resign after claims they don't live in Brighton". The Argus. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Ex-Labour councillor reported to police". Brighton and Hove News. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Absent councillors say: 'We resign'". Brighton and Hove News. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Brighton's Gujarati community celebrates Navaratri festival". The Argus. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Councillors investigated over allegations they live in Leicester". Brighton and Hove News. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  6. ^ Donnelly, Luke (19 April 2023). "All the Brighton and Hove local election candidates vying for your vote". Sussex Live. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Full list of results from Brighton and Hove as Labour win historic majority". The Argus. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "No police action over Brighton residency row councillors". BBC News. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Scandal-hit councillors who faced allegations that they lived elsewhere resign". The Argus. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  10. ^ "The Brighton Seagull". 5 May 2023.
  11. ^ Brunner, Conrad (7 August 2023). "New Ward Councillor: Chandni Mistry". Queens Park Tennis Club Brighton. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b "'I reside in the heart of Brighton,' councillor says after Labour Party suspension". The Argus. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Two Labour councillors 'suspended' amid investigation". The Argus. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Brighton Labour councillors expelled after residence claims". BBC News. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Scandal-hit councillor claims 'no fraud' as police investigation continues". The Argus. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Councillors under fire leave meeting before main order of business". The Argus. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  17. ^ "'Tough decision' to leave council meeting early, says scandal-hit councillor". Yahoo News. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Absent councillor wins payout from university". Brighton and Hove News. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Absent councillor calls lawyers in". Brighton and Hove News. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Sussexworld".
  21. ^ "City councillor shortlisted for national award". The Argus. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Newly elected councillor shortlisted for award". Brighton and Hove News. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.


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