The Green Party has banned at least three local members in Surrey, including two serving Councillors, after they campaigned for the Liberal Democrats in Godalming and Ash.
The former members of the party had wanted to remove the option of a Green Party candidate in the newly created seat at the last General Election. The original candidate, Cllr Steve Williams, stood down after a secret ballot was held amongst local party members. This led to Cllr Williams formally withdrawing only a few days before the close of nominations.
In response, the national Green Party took the decision to choose a new candidate, Ruby Tucker, as their nomination for the seat of Godalming and Ash.
Cllr Williams was previously a member of the Labour Party. He was expelled in 2017 for undertaking similar actions to undermine the party he was a part of.
Commenting on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Cllr Williams said:
"Sadly the Green Party is becoming such a party, with draconian expulsions of members like Clare Weightman and myself today for advocating tactical voting.
"It seems tactical voting for Green is ok but not for other progressives!"
