Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas praised Zac Goldsmith’s “brilliant environmental work” and wished him well just days before visiting Richmond today to oppose his re-election.
The Greens are not putting up a candidate in the Richmond Park by-election to boost Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney’s chances of defeating Mr Goldsmith.
Ms Lucas was due to speak at a “Help us stop Goldsmith in Richmond Park” event this evening.
But she had warm words for the former Tory MP, who resigned over the Government backing a third runway at Heathrow, when she sent an email to one of his family members 11 days ago.
She said: “On Richmond, just to say that of course I recognise all of Zac’s brilliant environmental work, but the decision about standing is completely down to the local party - the national party has very little influence on that.”
She then went on: “Sorry this whole issue is very difficult and I wish Zac well - he’s always been very supportive to me personally - but the current shape of party politics is an ongoing obstacle to working better together.”
Asked about the email, Ms Lucas dismissed as “clearly absurd” any suggestion that she is supporting his campaign.
She added: “It is obvious to everyone that I want an MP elected in Richmond who isn’t from the regressive alliance that’s formed around Zac Goldsmith.”
However, Mr Goldsmith criticised the Greens for not having their own candidate.
“It’s an odd decision because the Greens know and would acknowledge that I have been among the most environmentally active MPs for the past six years.”
Meanwhile, former party leader Lord Ashdown because the latest senior Liberal Democrat to visit the Richmond Park and North Kingston constituency.
Ahead of a lunchtime stop-off at the Roz Ana restaurant on Kingston Hill, the peer stressed Leave campaigners had promised Brexit would help British curry houses struggling with staff shortages, by making it easier for skilled chefs from outside the EU to come to the UK.
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“The Liberal Democrats will hold this Conservative Brexit government to account for the cynical attempts made to mislead voters during the referendum campaign,” he added.
* A “primary” will be launched tomorrow to try to create a main pro-European candidate to challenge Mr Goldsmith.
Voters in Richmond Park will be able to choose online between Ms Olney and Labour’s Christian Wolmar, with a “caucus” being held on November 20th at a venue in the constituency.
Anti hard Brexit group CommonGround is organising the vote.
It accepts the result will come too late for candidates to pull out but believes the vote could strengthen the winner.
CommonGround co-founder Hugo Dixon said: “Defeating Goldsmith will send a powerful message to Theresa May that the British people do not want a destructive hard Brexit.”
