Greens will stand aside to give Sarah Olney a better chance of winning
Greens will stand aside to give Sarah Olney a better chance of winning

Richmond and Twickenham Green Party has voted not to stand a candidate in the upcoming Richmond Park byelection in order to give the Liberal Democrats a better chance to beat Zac Goldsmith.

The other local Green party in the constituency, Kingston Green Party, is meeting today to decide whether to follow Richmond and Twickenham’s lead or to stand a candidate regardless.

Last Wednesday the two local Green parties decided to remain open to discussions with the Liberal Democrats but, as things stood then, to stand a candidate.

However, last night the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot tweeted: “Greens won’t stand a candidate in Richmond Park – will back Lib Dems’ @sarahjolney1.”

A Green Party spokesperson confirmed that Richmond and Twickenham Green Party had decided not to stand and that Kingston Green Party are yet to decide.

When pressed for further details, Elgot told Bright Green that, according to Richmond Green Party, the vote was 16-1 in favour of standing down.

The decision has been welcomed by Liberal Democrats and independent progressives on social media.