THE Green Party have withdrawn their candidate in a marginal Hampshire constituency and urged their supporters to vote Labour.

Just days after being selected to fight the Southampton Test constituency, Green candidate Katherine Barbour has stood down.

Southampton and District Green Party have backed Alan Whitehead, who has held the seat for Labour since 1997.

Jonathan Martin, from the Southampton Green Party, said: “In the absence of a fair voting system in UK general elections, we have had to consider all the ways we can promote the chances of returning MPs to parliament that share our values.

“There are important differences between the positions of the Labour Party and the Green Party on key issues.

"However, reluctantly, we have decided that the extent of shared values with Dr Whitehead and the risk of a Conservative victory in this seat should the progressive vote be split, justifies withdrawing our candidate in favour of this particular Labour candidate”.

Ms Barbour, who was originally nominated for the seat has stood down “for the greater good”.

She said: “Matters of common interest have been discussed between our Green and Labour officials and candidates.

"We have gained assurances on several local policies of importance to Green voters and supporters, which include pursuing our concerns on local air pollution and supporting the ‘Love Our Waterfront’ cross-party campaign.”

Conservative candidate Paul Holmes said he was surprised by the decision

“It is clear that the coalition of chaos that we might see at a national level has already started in Southampton,” he said.

Mr Whitehead said: “I think the decision that has been made looks like it is based on my track record as an MP based on policy relating to the environment and climate change.

“I’m proud to have fought for these policies during my time in parliament which tie into some Green policies and helped to start to bring forward projects like the Southampton District Energy Scheme during my time as council leader.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Pope, Southampton Independents candidate, said: “The Greens stood against Alan Whitehead in 2015, 2010 and 2005. Now in 2017 under Jeremy Corbyn, it seems the Green Party is a wing of a Trotskyite Labour Party. People will ask why, when the Greens only announced their candidate just days ago!”

Putting People First councillor Keith Morrell will also be standing as an independent.