Greens step aside as Labour targets Iain Duncan Smith

Iain Duncan Smith was first elected as MP for Chingford in 1992 – which he represented until the constituency's abolition in 1997 – and has since represented its successor Chingford and Woodford Green.

His closest rival in the upcoming contest is Labour’s Faiza Shaheen followed by Liberal Democrat Geoff Seef.

In 2017 IDS secured 49.1 per cent of the vote; Labour’s Bilal Mahmood secured 43.9 per cent of the vote while the Liberal Democrats came third with 4.4 per cent of the vote.

The Green Party secured just 2.6 per cent of the vote in 2017.

A Green Party source was keen to stress the party had not been pressured into withdrawing its candidate but instead had seen an opportunity to unseat an MP who’s voting record they disagreed with.

“We have thought carefully about where to stand in Waltham Forest and Redbridge, knowing that every Green vote in Chingford and Woodford Green would be a vote for a greener and fairer world”, said Andrew Johns, the Green Party candidate for Walthamstow.

Andrew Johns

“Iain Duncan Smith has demonstrated through his horrendous record on welfare that he does not care for people who are struggling to make ends meet. He also disregards the seriousness of the climate emergency, having repeatedly voted in Parliament against measures to reduce carbon emissions”.

“While there are still some differences of opinion between the Greens and Labour on environmental targets, Faiza is an advocate of a more progressive politics and has agreed to work with local Green Party members in our fight against airport expansion and for ambitiously reducing carbon emissions.”

Faiza Shaheen thanked the Green party for standing down and insisted the vote was a two-horse race – “it is either me or him”, she said.

Faiza Shaheen

Faiza added: “There are important issues that the Green Party and I agree on, such as the fight for effective climate policy and democratic reform! I will continue to advocate for progressive policy and will work with local greens to ensure that their voice is heard in parliament.”

“The news of the Brexit Party standing down in a pact with the Conservatives has exacerbated the stark choice that the electorate are faced with in this General Election. A vote for the Labour Party is a vote for our beloved NHS, the elderly, our schools, a final say on Brexit and the environment. A vote for the Tories is a vote for a Trump alliance that will see our NHS opened up to American pharmaceuticals, the denial of a climate emergency and a disastrous Brexit deal.

“We must work together to stop Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party from causing further havoc to our society, reverse austerity and ensure the public have the final say on Brexit.”

Iain Duncan Smith said: “Now, as we face an election, I am right behind our Prime Minister Boris Johnson in being committed to honour our original commitment to respect the 2016 referendum result, get Brexit done and deliver democracy.

“Once we have left the European Union, we can move on and focus on the things that matter to the people of Chingford and Woodford Green.

“Voting for any other party here in Chingford and Woodford Green risks Jeremy Corbyn getting into Number 10.”