Chandni Mistry

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

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] She is originally from Leicester, East Midlands, and was 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 and is also educated at Imperial College London.[5][6]

Political career[edit]

Mistry was selected as the Labour candidate for local government in Queen's Park, Brighton. Seven stood for two seats [7] in the election which Mistry was elected with a vote majority of 1,702 (29%).[8][9]

At the age of 19,[9][10] she was the youngest female BAME councillor to contest the election. Mistry is also the youngest elected councillor on Brighton and Hove City Council to date, referred to as the baby of the council.[11]

Mistry was successfully elected on 4 May 2023 and aided Labour to secured majority in the Brighton and Hove City Council for the first time in two decades in a landslide victory, defeating the Green Party which was the largest party ahead of elections.[8] Mistry was one of only two Hindu councillors in the Brighton and Hove City Council.[4] She was appointed on the Childrens, Families and Schools Comittee, the Eqaulities, Community Safety and Human Rights Committee, Members Advisory Group on Grants and Youthwise. Mistry was known to ask "lots of good questions"[12]

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 [13][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][14] She has received support from cross-party and local community members of Queen's Park and beyond, who have personally provided their support.[15] Mistry was placed under investigation for concerns raised about her residence[16] and she publicly confirmed there was no proven electoral fraud.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19][18]

Mistry announced her resignation as Councillor of Queen's Park, Brighton 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.”[10][9][3]

Public image[edit]

Mistry in her constituency, 2024

Mistry confirmed in January 2023 that there was no proven electoral fraud,[17] 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.[9][20]

In February 2024, amidst negative media coverage, Mistry also sought reputation management from a leading international law firm, Mischon de Reya for alleged defamation.[21]

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.”[20]

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 [22] 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."[23][24] 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. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  2. ^ "Ex-Labour councillor reported to police". Brighton and Hove News. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  3. ^ a b "Absent councillors say: 'We resign'". Brighton and Hove News. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  4. ^ a b "Brighton's Gujarati community celebrates Navaratri festival". The Argus. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  5. ^ a b c d "Councillors investigated over allegations they live in Leicester". Brighton and Hove News. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. ^ "List of people associated with Imperial College London", Wikipedia, 2023-11-12, retrieved 2023-11-15
  7. ^ Donnelly, Luke (2023-04-19). "All the Brighton and Hove local election candidates vying for your vote". Sussex Live. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  8. ^ a b "Full list of results from Brighton and Hove as Labour win historic majority". The Argus. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  9. ^ a b c d "No police action over Brighton residency row councillors". BBC News. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  10. ^ a b "Scandal-hit councillors who faced allegations that they lived elsewhere resign". The Argus. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  11. ^ "The Brighton Seagull". May 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Brunner, Conrad (2023-08-07). "New Ward Councillor: Chandni Mistry". Queens Park Tennis Club Brighton. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  13. ^ "'I reside in the heart of Brighton,' councillor says after Labour Party suspension". The Argus. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  14. ^ "Two Labour councillors 'suspended' amid investigation". The Argus. 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  15. ^ "'I reside in the heart of Brighton,' councillor says after Labour Party suspension". The Argus. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  16. ^ "Brighton Labour councillors expelled after residence claims". BBC News. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  17. ^ a b "Scandal-hit councillor claims 'no fraud' as police investigation continues". The Argus. 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  18. ^ a b "Councillors under fire leave meeting before main order of business". The Argus. 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  19. ^ "'Tough decision' to leave council meeting early, says scandal-hit councillor". Yahoo News. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  20. ^ a b "Absent councillor wins payout from university". Brighton and Hove News. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  21. ^ "Absent councillor calls lawyers in". Brighton and Hove News. 2024-02-01. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  22. ^ "Sussexworld".
  23. ^ "City councillor shortlisted for national award". The Argus. 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  24. ^ "Newly elected councillor shortlisted for award". Brighton and Hove News. 2023-10-18. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
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