WE withdraw from Richmond Park race to join Lib Dem and Green alliance against Zac Goldsmith
Published 11 November 2016
On Wednesday, the Richmond branch of the Women’s Equality Party voted to stand down in the Richmond Park by election to support Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney in her challenge against incumbent Zac Goldsmith.
Jill Lorimer, Chair of the Richmond branch of the Women’s Equality Party said: ‘The Women’s Equality Party was founded to bring feminist politics to the heart of our political conversation in the UK. In the light of yesterday’s US election result, it is more urgent than ever that we organise and collaborate to deliver progress on gender equality and build an anti-racist politics. We believe this can start here in Richmond.’
‘As a fast-growing branch of the country's newest political party, we believe we can be most effective in delivering progress towards our objectives by standing down in the upcoming Richmond Park by-election, and coming together to oppose Zac Goldsmith’s record of racist and divisive campaigning. At our meeting on November 9th we decided to support Liberal Democrat challenger Sarah Olney in her campaign to be Richmond Park’s MP.’
Sophie Walker, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party said: ‘In Richmond, we’re confronting a by-election called by a candidate who earlier this year put his name to a deeply racist campaign to be mayor of one of the most diverse cities in the world. And let’s be clear: racism seldom travels alone. It travels with its counterparts, sexism, misogyny and homophobia. We cannot allow a proponent of racist politics to take centre stage again.’
Walker continued: ‘We are standing down to give way for Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney, to stand together in opposing the re-election of Goldsmith. It’s time to take a new approach to politics.’
On Tuesday evening, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party Sophie Walker spoke at progressive alliance talks in Richmond. She urged the other parties to stand together in opposing Zac Goldsmith’s record, and stressed that the decision to stand down in support of any candidate would be taken by members of the local branch.