The Brexit Party has withdrawn its candidate who was set to stand in Bolton’s closest constituency as parties prepare to battle for the “bellwether” swing seat.
There will now be no candidate from the new party appearing on the ballot paper in Bolton West next month.
Paul Brierley, who was announced as the Brexit Party candidate in September, will now stand in Oldham East and Saddleworth instead.
The ex-Conservative councillor was set to stand in the marginal constituency which was held by Tory candidate Chris Green with a majority of 936 votes in 2017.
This comes after leader Nigel Farage revealed that his party would not contest the 317 seats which the Conservatives won at the last general election.
Mr Farage said he had taken the “difficult decision” not to contest the seats amid fears it could lead to a hung parliament and a second referendum.
Former MP Julie Hilling, who lost the seat to Mr Green in 2015, was beaten at the last election and will be the Labour candidate again this year.
She got a higher portion of the vote in 2017, but Mr Green’s majority increased by 135.
Rebecca Forrest, who was the Lib Dem candidate at the last election, will be standing again in this election. Liz Spencer is the Green Party candidate.
Brexit Party candidates have been selected for both of Bolton’s other seats.
