The leader of West Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats has endorsed a Green Party candidate for the upcoming local elections.

Councillor Andy Graham, leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, has written to the electorate ahead of local elections next Thursday and has urged people to vote for the Green Party candidate Sandra Simpson in the Witney North ward.

Writing to householders, Mr Graham said people should use their vote to support the “candidate best placed to defeat the Conservatives”.

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In the letter, Mr Graham explains: “The way to achieve this here in Witney North is to vote for the Green candidate Sandra Simpson, this time.”

Witney North’s councillor and the independent candidate, Richard Langridge, told the Oxford Mail that Mr Graham didn’t “really have a choice” but to agree to endorse the Green Party candidate.

Mr Langridge said: “Andy is in coalition with the Greens, so he really doesn’t have a choice, but to agree.”

Mr Langridge said he had “worked really well with Andy and the coalition” and highlighted they “always had a great working relationship”.

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Speaking about the issues which matter to the electorate, Mr Langridge said: “The big issue in North Witney is the potential 1400 home development above Eastfield Road.

“I have campaigned against this for the last 16 years and I will continue to do so if re-elected.

“I am the only councillor who has done so and the only candidate that has the endorsement of the North Witney Action Group."

Mr Langridge said he always put “residents first” and was “free of party politics”.

He added: “I am confident that residents will continue to support me, given my track record of serving them and the ward, over the last 16 years.

“I am extremely grateful and encouraged by the huge amount of support from people during my campaign.”

Mr Graham, who is running for re-election in the Charlbury and Finstock ward, has been approached for comment and was asked why he is not endorsing the Green Party in his own ward.

He has failed to respond.

Green Party candidate Sandra Simpson said: "In our first-past-the-post system, it is not uncommon for smaller parties to make short-term electoral alliances. 

"The Liberal Democrats are standing aside to support me at this election.

"I am the best candidate, and the local Green Party has the best track record to fight against the unsustainable development of 1400 houses in North Witney, to push for our local water and rivers to be brought under public ownership, and to follow-up on investment in our high street and greener infrastructure. 

"I will be backed by the strength of the Green Party's "Right House, Right Place, Right Price" policy."