Brighton Kemptown Constituency - Palace Pier to Peacehaven, Marine Drive to Moulsecoomb.
This is a Labour-Tory coastal marginal with a large elderly population - it was held by the Conservatives for the previous 27 years.

Behind some of its grand sea frontage there is a great deal of social need. Des has been instrumental in securing £47 million from the government, through its New Deal for Communities programme, for East Brighton.

Des is particularly pleased to have played his part in securing a secondary school for Peacehaven, which parents had campaigned for over 30 years, and a £1million to expand Longhill School in Woodingdean.

Des has been Chair of the Whitehawk Crime Prevention Forum for many years and in 1997 he brought Jack Straw and Tony Blair to see the estate for themselves.