Wales Green candidate ‘feels more comfortable’ in Brighton
The Wales Green party has defended a gay candidate who plans to move to Brighton.
Matt Cooke was selected last October by the Wales Green party – an autonomous group within the Green Party of England and Wales – to stand in the Torfaen constituency.
However, despite being a prospective parliamentary candidate for a Welsh party, Mr Cooke tweeted his intention to move to Brighton.
He tweeted: “This year I want to move back to Brighton. I have to. I belong there!”
Wales Green party leader Pippa Bartolotti told WalesOnline: “This wasn’t the brightest thing to tweet in an election period. I’ve spoken to him about it. He was a bit squiffy and sentimental about his family, who live in Brighton.
“He’s a gay man and perhaps feels more comfortable in Brighton. I don’t think people will hold it against him for missing his family.
“But he’s not moving back to Brighton – he’s standing for us in Torfaen at a time when we’re putting on a lot of support.”
Mr Cooke later tweeted: “Gosh, if stuff I Tweet is going to start getting scrutinised, I guess that means I’m starting to make some kind of impact… GOOD!”
