Give Progressive politics a fighting chance in the Richmond Park by-election.

We believe that Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, should put tribal politics aside and work together to field a single candidate who is against Heathrow expansion, but also against a hard-Brexit and against the divisive rhetoric coming from this Conservative government.

The Richmond Park by-election represents a unique opportunity to send a strong message to the Conservative government. While Zac Goldsmith is standing as an independent candidate on a platform of anti-Heathrow expansion, he is tainted by his association with the Conservative party, and his pro-Brexit stance does not align with the many Richmond Park constituents who voted to Remain (approximately 70%).

Neither the Tory party, nor UKIP, will field a candidate against Zac Goldsmith. A defeat for him will be a defeat for the Conservative government and for the hard-Brexit agenda. A victory for him will prop up the Conservatives on most issues.

Just as the Tories and UKIP are acting tactically, so must progressive parties if they are to stand a chance of winning. The alternative is a repeat of the recent Witney by-election, where the Conservative candidate received 45%, while the combined Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party vote was 48%.

For these reasons, we the undersigned, respectfully ask the local Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green constituency parties to seriously consider uniting behind a single candidate in the Richmond Park by-election. We also call on the leaders of these parties, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Tim Farron MP, Caroline Lucas MP, and Jonathan Bartley, to support any decisions local parties may make not to field candidates.