THE share of pro-Remain votes in Herefordshire looks set to be split in the forthcoming general election as the Green Party and Liberal Democrats say they will contest both county constituencies.

There had been talks nationally of negotiations for electoral pacts in certain constituencies to ensure an anti-Brexit candidate is elected.

The Lib Dems won the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election this year with pro-Remain parties deciding not to stand on that occasion for fear of splitting the vote.

But local organisers of the Greens and Lib Dems say they will be both be fielding candidates in the county.

The Green Party re-selected Ellie Chowns as their candidate for North Herefordshire in July last year and Diana Toynbee will also contest the Hereford and South Herefordshire seat for the second time. Green county organiser Helen Heathfield told the Hereford Times there would not be Remain alliance in the county.

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“That is happening in other parts of the country but we won’t be doing it in Herefordshire,” she said.

Last week, the Lib Dems announced that Lucy Hurds will again contest the Hereford and South Herefordshire seat while Ledbury mayor Phillip Howells is to stand for North Herefordshire.

County council group leader Terry James said he too doubted there would be a pro-Remain pact.

He believes the December 12 poll is a straight two horse race between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems.

“There is a lot of anti-Boris and anti-Corbyn sentiment in the county.”

Local Lib Dem party chairman Kevin Tillett said any decisions over alliances would be made at national level. “We have two very good candidates selected for both Herefordshire constituencies.

“As it stands there isn’t a pact, but if there is, that would be a decision that is taken at a higher level.”

The Labour Party has chosen Anna Coda to fight for the Hereford and South Herefordshire constituency but had yet to announce its candidate for North Herefordshire by the time this newspaper went to press.

Ms Coda finished second in the last general election with 11,991 votes.

She is calling on Independent, Green and Lib Dem supporters to lend her their votes to defeat the Conservatives.

Labour’s policy is to put a Brexit deal negotiated by them to another referendum with the option to vote to remain in the EU.

Hereford and South Herefordshire Conservative MP Jesse Norman achieved a majority of 15,013 votes in 2017.

While Tory Bill Wiggin won a 21,602 majority in North Herefordshire.