THE LIBERAL Democrats are considering not fielding a candidate against Caroline Lucas.

Members will tonight vote on proposals not to stand a candidate in Brighton Pavilion in a move which has caused dispute within party ranks, with some Lib Dems publicly opposing the move.

It would be among the first signs in the country of co-operation between progressive parties, though the candidate stepping aside said it was not part of a wider pact to topple the Conservative government.

The Green Party in the city said it is in “listening mode” about a progressive alliance and could choose not to run a candidate or limit campaigning if it ensured a Conservative defeat.

Brighton Kemptown Green candidate Davy Jones said Labour could not win the election on its own and urged the party to join discussions.

However, Liberal Democrat Jeremy Gale is urging members to vote against giving Ms Lucas a “free ride” claiming it would amount to “political suicide” in squandering a unique opportunity to establish firm foundations in the city.

He said: “If the membership decides to back the pact then it is, in my view, an affront to democracy, utterly disrespectful to the electorate of Brighton Pavilion and stands in complete opposition to the liberal and democratic values on which our party is built. We need a candidate on the ballot paper.”

Paul Chandler said he was willing to stand down as challenger to Ms Lucas because in a “Brexit election” the party shared the same view on Europe as the sitting Green MP.

He said: “We are doing it on our own, its not part of a progressive alliance.

“It is our way of saying thanks for Caroline Lucas convincing her party not to stand in the Richmond by-election.

“We will still be fighting as fiercely in Kemptown and Hove. This is a special, one-off case. We are not asking anyone to stand down in Lewes or anything like that.”

Chris Bowers, Lib Dem candidate in Brighton Pavilion in 2015, said: “I think the Greater Brighton area is a very good place for this because there is a cluster of seats which makes co-operation more feasible than in other areas.

“The obvious situation in Sussex would be Kemptown and Hove for Labour, Lewes and Eastbourne for the Lib Dems and Pavilion as Green.”

Mr Jones said support for a progressive alliance was spreading fast.

He said: “Parties are really coming to their senses now on a local level. They are realising this is just common sense.

“The Green Party is in listening mode. We are listening out for what is being proposed and the strength of feeling.”