UKIP backs Zac Goldsmith to block Lib Dem win in by-election

UKIP has backed Zac Goldsmith in the Richmond Park by-election, agreeing not to field a candidate against him.

The party has made the move because of Mr Goldsmith's commitment to "helping get Britain out of the European Union" and in a bid to block the Liberal Democrats from winning the seat.

The Conservative MP triggered the by-election on Wednesday when he resigned in protest at the Government's decision to back a third runway at Heathrow.

Voters will go to the polls on 1 December.

Some Labour MPs have already urged the party not to field a candidate and back the Lib Dems to give them the best chance of defeating Mr Goldsmith and reducing the already thin Conservative majority.

The battle will come down to a straight fight between Mr Goldsmith and the Lib Dems, who previously held the seat, and has been positioned as a Brexit battle.

Both oppose Heathrow expansion but Mr Goldsmith is a Brexiteer and the Lib Dems are pro-EU in an area where 69% voted Remain in June's referendum.

However, Mr Goldsmith is personally popular and gained the biggest majority increase of any MP at the 2015 election, winning 58% of the vote.

Theresa May has said the Conservatives will not field a candidate either.

However, Fiona-Natasha Symes, the wife of former Tory whip Robert Syms, has said it is not fair on Conservatives voters to rob them of a candidate and said she wants to run as the party candidate for the constituency.

A UKIP spokesman 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 by-election for Richmond Park.

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to overturning the result of the 2016 Referendum and ignoring the will of the British people. This must not be allowed to happen."

The party only won 4% of the vote at the General Election, however, this could tip the balance in what is expected to be a close vote.

Labour sources have said they will field a candidate despite the appeal by Jonathan Reynolds, Clive Lewis and Lisa Nandy.

The party was third with 12% of the vote, which could have made a significant difference to the Liberal Democrat balance.

There have been suggestions that Vince Cable, who lost his seat in neighbouring Twickenham at the election, could run against Mr Goldsmith.

But Dr Cable told Sky News on Tuesday it was "very unlikely", especially as the party has already chosen Sarah Olney as its candidate.

The Lib Dem Press Office tweeted: "Zac Goldsmith was the Tory-backed candidate, now seems he's the UKIP one too. Lib Dem victory will send clear message against hard Brexit."