Telford's Green Party will not stand next General Election if Future Fit plans go ahead

The party said that although people in the region have overwhelmingly supported a full A&E remaining in the town, Future Fit plans meant that Princess Royal Hospital's facilities will be downgraded.

Councillor Pat McCarthy, leader of the local Greens, said that by not splitting the left wing vote, Labour would be able to earn enough votes to take the Telford seat.

But Lucy Allan, Telford's MP, said that Green voters were just as likely to lean Liberal Democrat as Labour

Ms Allan had a majority of 720 in the last General Election. The Green Party had about 900 votes.

The decision on Future Fit is currently in the hands of health secretary Matt Hancock. The plans would see Royal Shrewsbury Hospital housing the county’s only A&E, with planned care being based in Telford.

Councillor McCarthy said: "By a large majority, much larger than the one enjoyed by the Leave campaign in the Brexit referendum, the people of the region voted to have the PRH’S A&E and Women and Children services retained.

"We would like our Conservative MPs to regard the results of the Future Fit consultations – approximately 40 to 60 against the down grading of the PRH facilities – as our referendum and fight those who would deny our democratic rights.

Future Fit is being undertaken to achieve Tory financial targets rather than improve our health outcomes. If the Health Secretary gives the green light for Future Fit to continue we will hold our Tory representatives Lucy Allan MP and Mark Pritchard MP responsible for these austerity measures and in the next general election will stand down rather than split the anti-Tory vote. In the Telford Constituency this is likely to be crucial.”

Ms Allan said: “The future of the PRH and our hospital care is of immense importance to our community and all elected representatives, MPs and councillors are doing their utmost to ensure we have the services we need locally.

“I don’t accept that Green voters will automatically vote Labour in the absence of a Green candidate. They are more just as likely to vote Lib Dem.

“The political landscape has fundamentally changed since 2017. In the event of a snap election, I would expect the Lib Dems and The Brexit Party to take votes from both Labour and Conservatives, in Telford and elsewhere. People are less likely to vote along traditional party lines than they were in 2017, and more likely to vote for parties clearly advocating Leave or Remain. Labour is very confused on this issue and it will cost them votes in Telford.”