Southampton and District Green Party have decided they will not stand a candidate in one of their seats in the upcoming general election.

Green candidates will still be running in Southampton Itchen, Romsey and Southampton North, Eastleigh and many other local seats including the Isle of Wight - but not in Southampton Test.

Party spokesperson Jonathan Martin 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.

"Alan Whitehead, personally, has a consistent record of supporting Green issues and we have therefore concluded that, given the unique circumstances of this election, opposing him would not be in the best interests of residents and voters in this closely contested seat.

"There are important differences between the positions of the Labour Party and the Green Party on key issues. "However, and 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”.

The selected Katherine Barbour, will stand 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.

"These include pursuing our concerns on local air pollution, supporting the ‘Love Our Waterfront’ cross-party campaign, launched by the Green Party, which seeks to improve public access to Southampton Waterfront, and demanding proportional representation at a national level”.