Something remarkable happened last night – the Green Party in Richmond Park decided not to stand against Zac Goldsmith for the by-election on 1 December. They weren’t told to by party high command: local members voted not to. It’s a huge sacrifice for a greater good and they should be applauded.
Compass, the only organisation with deep roots in all the progressive parties, has been working behind the scenes with others to help make this happen.
Full details and registration here
We’ll be joined by Caroline Lucas MP, Sophie Walker from the Women’s Equality Party, John Harris, Neal Lawson and others soon to be announced…
The local Greens’ vote comes after UKIP and the Tories stepped aside for Goldsmith, forming a regressive alliance. They want someone who ran a racially divisive campaign for London Mayor to win. They want hard Brexit to win. They want the right to smash the left and know who can do it. What does Labour want?
This is not about a soggy centre deal – this is about breaking the mould of British politics that until now has meant the Tories nearly always win.
The local Labour party is due to meet tomorrow to select a candidate – a candidate who despite their best intentions will only do one thing: let Goldsmith win. The meeting is taking place at 10.45am this Saturday at the Richmond Park Academy School. Labour members should attend and vote not to stand a candidate, as the Greens have.
If Labour stand back this time, and Liberal Democrats agree to step aside in neighbouring Brentford and Isleworth, where the Tories are the only challenger, then the shape of British politics changes in an instant.
Richmond – it’s time to do the right thing for your community and the country. Don’t let Goldsmith win. Join the progressive alliance.
The event will be taking place at Richmond & Putney Unitarian Church from 19.00-21.00