Although Greens are fielding candidate in Stratford they are not actively campaigning as they do not want to split vote and give Tories the win
THE Green Party are not so much standing for the Stratford seat as taking a reclined position from a comfy lounger while they nobly expect you to cast your vote elsewhere.
A party spokesperson explained that Doug Rouxel was now the party’s parliamentary candidate, although he “will not be actively contesting the seat”. This means it will not be taking part in the hustings organised by the Herald and KES on 17th June.
Mr Rouxel replaced Sherron Guise, who withdrew ahead of the candidacy deadline of Friday (7th June).
Ms Guise explained that the local Greens had decided not to split the local vote – which they believe would have given the Conservatives a greater change of retaining the seat.
She said: “As a politician you have to make decisions based on what is right for your constituents, country and party.
“With the decision of who is going to be the next MP of Stratford looking like it will be between the Tories and the Lib Dems, I did not want to be responsible for splitting the vote.”
Nationally, however, the Green Party had vowed to field a candidate in all 574 seats in England and Wales as this gives them better representation.
Mrs Guise explained: “Due to the unfair ‘first past the post’ system, under election rules national media coverage is based on the number of seats a party is standing in. The Green Party of England and Wales have made the decision to stand a candidate in every seat. So we will have a Green candidate but he will not be contesting the seat.
“Whilst I was looking forward to standing for the constituency and area that I love, I knew that it was best not stand in the way of what was best for Stratford. The decision was not taken lightly and I know that the people of Stratford and our Green Party members will understand my decision. Thank you for all your support and hard work.”
However Green party members are actively helping with campaigning in neighbouring constituency, Kenilworth and Southam and in the target seat of North Hereford where we hope to secure election of a Green MP.
