THE LABOUR candidate for Eastleigh has called on a rival to stand down in an open letter.

Sam Jordan has made a formal request for Lib Dem candidate Lynda Murphy to pull out of the race for the Eastleigh seat.

The 31-year-old believes the general election will produce either a Labour or Conservative government.

He adds the Lib Dems won’t be able to form a government unless they enter into a coalition with another party.

Sam's states: “The Lib Dems performed well at the last election, but the percentage vote was in decline whilst the Labour vote in Eastleigh has surged.”

Sam adds: “If you could find the courage to stand aside, for the people of Eastleigh, and allow me to remove the Brexit smokescreen of the Tory approach to our local infrastructure and services, I believe Labour has a monumental opportunity to win.”

In response, Lib Dem Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Keith House, said: “Only local Lynda Murphy can beat the last-minute Tory corporate lobbyist parachuted in from London. Labour has come third in every general election for 40 years in Eastleigh. If they really want the Conservatives to lose they should step down for the Lib Dems.”

Conservative candidate Paul Holmes added: "'This squabbling and infighting is exactly the sort of thing we can look forward to if Labour and the Lib Dems get anywhere near power. The Conservatives are the only party, and I am the only candidate, who will get Brexit done."

Sam's entire letter is as follows:

Dear Lynda,

I am writing with regards to the news that the Liberal Democrat candidate, Tim Walker, has stood down from the upcoming election.

At the last General Election, Labour support increased by 4,000 votes (7%) – taking our vote to within 3,000 of the Liberal Democrats in Eastleigh. This considerable upward trend is represented across Eastleigh’s last three General Elections in Eastleigh. Although the Liberal Democrats performed well at the last election, the percentage vote was in decline whilst the Labour vote in Eastleigh has surged. I think, considering the circumstances, that we will again increase the vote in Eastleigh as our local and national message is landing very well on the doorsteps across the constituency.

Considering the above, I am asking you to consider standing aside for Labour. Nationally, Labour can stop a Tory Brexit. I know there is a conviction within your party to lead the United Kingdom but we know that this would be extremely difficult to do based on our voting system. Therefore, I would respectfully request that you allow me to fight the Tory candidate in Eastleigh directly. I can appreciate that this represents a risk for the Liberal Democrats but Labour is the only real alternative to a Tory Brexit and, with a confirmatory vote, elected representatives will have the opportunity to give the electorate the final say. I can assure you that I will never vote for a Tory Brexit and that I am fully behind a confirmatory vote giving the people of Eastleigh the final say – remain must be on that ballot sheet.

If you could find the courage to stand aside, for the people of Eastleigh, and allow me to remove the Brexit smokescreen of the Tory approach to our local infrastructure and services, I believe that Labour have a monumental opportunity to win.

As time is tight, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you before the withdrawal deadline on the 14th November 2019. I am reachable via the Labour office in Eastleigh, my email (Sam@EastleighLabour.co.uk) or various social channels.

Yours sincerely,

Sam Jordan