Despite receiving an endorsement from Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, Richmond Park Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney does not have the backing of local Green parties.
Several members of the Kingston Greens, including former Kingston and Surbiton candidate Clare Keogh and local party co-ordinator Ryan Coley, signed a letter which was sent to the Guardian last week saying they backed the Labour candidate, Christian Wolmar.
They cited the “regressive role” the Lib Dems allegedly played in coalition government with the Conservatives between 2010 and 2015.
But Nicola Albon, spokeswoman for the Richmond and Twickenham Greens, said this was not an official position of either local party, and members are “free to vote for whoever they want”.
She said: “We stood down and urged Labour to do the same. They chose not to.
“But the Lib Dems are better placed to win. The point is our members are free to vote for whoever they want to. We just wanted to make a stand for the progressive alliance.”
The party decided last month not to field a candidate in the Richmond Park and North Kingston byelection, allowing Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates to challenge independent candidate Zac Goldsmith.
Meanwhile, Ms Lucas said in a video posted to Facebook that in standing aside, the local Green Party had given Ms Olney a better chance of winning.
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