West Cornwall Green Party has announced it will not be putting up a candidate for the St Ives constituency in this year's general election,but will be pressuring other candidates to adopt a progressive agenda.

At the same time, in the absence of any national agreement with other opposition parties, branch representative Linda Camidge has said the West Cornwall Greens will not be endorsing any of the other St Ives candidates.

Jonathan How of Penzance said: “We are very disappointed that - despite the efforts of party leader Caroline Lucas - other parties have not agreed to support one another.

“We would have liked to see an agreement – but in the absence of one, we in St Ives are taking the first step to create an effective and united challenge to the Tory government.”

Karen La Borde, who had been selected as Green candidate for the constituency, said: “The announcement of the June election was sudden and cynical, and the response of the other opposition parties nationally has been short-sighted and unimaginative. They still seem to be stuck in the 20th century, each still hoping to form majority government.”

Branch membership secretary John Rawles added: “Rather than fighting this election on Theresa May's terms, as a re-run of the EU referendum, we will be pressing candidates of other parties for undertakings in three key areas.

“We want to see a real commitment to social justice, action on climate change, and improved prospects for young people – which includes getting them to register and vote.”