The Green Party has agreed to step aside for the Lib Dems in South West Surrey.

Green candidate Steve Williams was lined up to take on his Waverley Borough Council executive colleague, Lib Dem Paul Follows on December 12.

But as part of a national ‘Unite to Remain’ pact, the Lib Dems have made an arrangement with The Green Party to step aside for pro-Remain candidates in 60 seats across England and Wales – including South West Surrey.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Follows said: “This is an exciting day for all those in Haslemere, Farnham, Godalming and the towns and villages of South West Surrey who are committed to stopping Brexit.

“I am thankful to the local Green Party for helping us reach this historic agreement.

“It is clear that the Liberal Democrats are the strongest party of Remain in our area as well as hundreds of other seats across the country.

“A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit, so that we can invest the £50bn Remain bonus in our public services and build a brighter future.”

Steve Williams who was recently selected as the Green Party’s contender for the seat, described the move as “a necessary step to stop Boris Johnson and the extreme Right from threatening our democracy and our country”.

“Paul and I have worked closely together and campaigned closely together for a number of years,” he said. “More recently, we have worked very closely together as members of Waverley’s multi-party executive.

“Whilst we may have some differences over policy detail, we share the same values.

“I am firmly of the opinion that Paul will make an excellent Member of Parliament for South West Surrey.”