THE Green Party’s decision not to contest Bolton West at next month’s election is ‘disappointing’, according to the Tory candidate for the marginal seat.

But Chris Green, who won the constituency in 2015, says he is confident the move will not be a decisive factor in the election.

Alan Johnson, who is standing for the Greens in Bolton South East, said this week that his party could not afford to fund three campaigns in Bolton and members voted not to stand in Bolton West, where they may have taken votes away from Labour’s Julie Hilling.

Mr Green, who accused the Greens of a 'socialist stitch-up' when they did not put forward a candidate in 2015, said: "It is clear that the Green Party is pretty much the Communist Party and I think people across Bolton West will see this for what it is. Communists and communist sympathisers are endorsing the modern Labour Party.

"Of course, some people will switch their votes to Labour because of the left-wing Greens not standing a candidate, but overall I think the voters will look at my record over the last two years and think about what is best for the future of this country."

Ms Hilling said she had never held discussions with the Greens over the issue.

She said: "A political party makes its own decisions as to where it stands candidates.

"I have never had any discussions with the Greens as to whether they would be putting up a candidate in Bolton West.

"We go forward to fight the general election with whatever competition we have got."

Mr Johnson added: "Unlike the Conservatives and to some extent the Lib Dems, who are funded by rich donors and business people, and Labour, which has the trade unions, we are funded by our own members and supporters.

"We could not afford to fund three candidates at this election, and we voted not to stand in Bolton West.

"That decision was taken at a branch meeting where there was a strong turnout. We had no nominations put forward for Bolton West and voted by a strong majority not to stand there.

"We have had no discussions with the Labour Party over Bolton West or anywhere else.

"But we would rather see a Labour government than a Tory government."

He added: "It is out of order to say that we are a communist party, that doesn't bare any relation to the Green Party I see.

"We are a left-wing party and we are a democratic party."