Richmond Park by-election is 1st December
The Richmond Park and North Kingston by-election, triggered by Zac Goldsmith's resignation, is to take place on Thursday 1st December.
“Politics is a world littered with broken promises and I don’t want to contribute to that.”
Support for Zac is gathering. The local Conservatives said they will not put up their own candidate against Goldsmith. Tonight UKIP's interim leader, Nigel Farage, has said that his party would not put a candidate up against the former Conservative MP either.
Rally 2015: Zac with residents from threatened villages Harmondsworth, Sipson and Harlington
The by-election had been seen as a referendum on Heathrow expansion but the Lib Dems, who agree with Zac on the third runway, have chosen to campaign on Brexit because over 70% of the constituency voted to remain in the EU referendum on 23rd June.
So while UKIP supports Zac Goldsmith's stance on the third runway, it will be very keen not to take votes that could result in a pro-EU Lib Dem candidate winning. The Lib Dems, held the seat until 2010.
Paul Oakden, UKIP Chairman said, “Zac Goldsmith has resigned on a matter of principle and UKIP admire him for having the courage to do so. Ukip have always believed that Gatwick was a preferred option to Heathrow.
“Recognising Zac as a principled man, who was fully committed to helping get Britain out of the European Union, UKIP leader Nigel Farage, in conjunction with our national executive committee, have agreed that we will not be fielding a candidate in the upcoming byelection for Richmond Park.”