A LABOUR activist has penned an open letter to the Green party calling on them to stand aside in the upcoming Copeland by-election.

The seat is set to be hotly contested next year following the surprise departure of Labour MP Jamie Reed, who quit to take up a role at Sellafield.

Labour member Chris Mears believes that the Greens must stand down in the upcoming by-election to make way for Labour in what is set to be a tight-three way race involving the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour.

He also argued that defeat for Labour could be a "disaster" for Jeremy Corbyn and may "herald a return to open civil war in Labour."

The Copeland constituency, which was created in 1983, has been a Labour stronghold ever since its inception.

However, Mr Reed only triumphed in 2015 with a majority of less than seven per cent.

The letter by Mr Mears, which is entitled, 'Why the Greens must stand down in Copeland – [a] Plea from an ally,' can be read in full by clicking here.

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