Lib Dem candidate Tim Walker stands down in Canterbury to boost hopes of Labour's Rosie Duffield
The Liberal Democrats' candidate for Canterbury has stood down in a boost to Labour's hopes in the constituency.
Tim Walker said he is stepping aside to prevent "dividing remainers" and allow Labour's Rosie Duffield the best chance of victory.
However, the Lib Dems will field another candidate to replace Mr Walker.
A party spokesman said: "We will be announcing a candidate in due course to contest the seat of Canterbury."
Mr Walker earlier wrote in the Guardian: "In the last election, she won the traditionally Tory seat on the slimmest of margins - fewer than 200 votes - and, while I was confident I could substantially increase the Lib Dem vote on the back of my party's national resurgence, it was clear there was a danger I'd divide the remainers.
"That would allow in our common enemy, Anna Firth, the Tory candidate and an avowed hard Brexiter and former Vote Leave stalwart."
Mr Walker said he does not trust Jeremy Corbyn on Brexit, however added he has "a visceral dread" of "people like Firth" populating the House of Commons.
"Trying to stop that happening is now more important than ever given Nigel Farage's unholy alliance with Johnson," he said.
"The nightmare that kept me awake was posing awkwardly at the count beside a vanquished Duffield as the Tory Brexiter raised her hands in triumph. I wanted no part in that."
Ms Duffield tweeted: "Tim has been a gracious, respectful candidate throughout this campaign. The choice for voters in £Canterbury is now clear; a local candidate who supports a People's Vote and defends our public services, or a Brexiteer who supports Johnson's hard right Tory agenda."
Reporting by PA.
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