Independent candidate Altaf 'Tiger' Patel has stood aside from the contest in Blackburn and told his supporters to vote for Workers Party of Britain hopeful Craig Murray at next week's General Election.
The former Conservative, a Blackburn with Darwen councillor, announced his move on social media, saying rival Independent Adnan Hussain lacked the experience to represent the town or the Palestinian cause after July 4's polling day.
Cllr Patel had been one of four candidates running in the Blackburn seat with the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip at the core of their pitch to voters.
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He quit the Tories to stand as an independent on the council, citing its reaction to the Israel/Hamas conflict as his reason for quitting.
Cllr Patel's successful campaign to represent Little Harwood and Whitebirk ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council was backed by Workers Party boss George Galloway in February.
He said his stepping aside was the best way for those concerned about the Gaza conflict to make their voice heard and 'vote Labour out of Blackburn'.
Adnan Hussain's campaign manager, and leader of the council's 4BwD independent group Cllr Mustafa Desai, said Cllr Patel had finally realised he had no chance of winning.
Defending Labour MP Kate Hollern said his move was "symptomatic of the chaotic nature of the Independents’ campaigns".
Former ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray, who stood unsuccessfully against Jack Straw in Blackburn in 2005, said he was 'extremely grateful' for Cllr Patel's boost to his campaign.
Cllr Patel's name will remain on the July 4 ballot paper and postal votes in his name will be counted, though he is now urging his supporters to switch to the Workers Party and will not be campaigning for himself.
In his statement, Cllr Patel said: "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision.
"I understand this decision comes very late in the campaign, but I believe it is crucial for us to come together and vote Labour out of Blackburn by uniting under a single candidate.
"I wholeheartedly believe Craig Murray is the candidate who deserves our support.
"He possesses a wealth of experience and has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause.
"That is not to say that Adnan Hussain is not a suitable candidate.
"However at this time, he lacks the political experience and high-level contacts to be an effective MP.
"I would urge Adnan to follow my lead and withdraw from the race, allowing us to unite in our support for Craig Murray."
In a video in response to Cllr Patel's decision, Mr Murray said: "I am extremely grateful to you because I know how hard this decision has been for you.
"Withdrawing your candidacy is not you withdrawing from the fight. We are now fighting together and standing alongside each other.
"I call on everybody in Blackburn to unite together with this great lead Tiger has shown and we will take this seat and we will make a new start for Blackburn."
Mustafa Desai said: "I think the penny has finally dropped that 'Tiger' does not have a cat in hell's chance of winning,
"However this action is way too late in the day.
"He and Craig should have both withdrawn and supported Adnan who has the best chance of winning."
Mrs Hollern said: "Tiger Patel joining forces with Craig Murray reinforces the disorder and disarray of the Independents.
"This is simply yet another political statement that is symptomatic of the chaotic nature of the Independents’ campaigns in Blackburn.
"Labour remains the only rational choice in this election – I am the only serious candidate with a track record of delivering."
Conservative candidate Jamie McGowan said: "I don’t think people across Blackburn really know or care about any of this.
"What I’m hearing on the doorsteps is that people want better access to GPs, job opportunities, safer streets, and the right investment to get the area moving again."
Denise Park, (Acting) Returning Officer for the Parliamentary Election in the Blackburn constituency, said:
“Tiger Patel will remain on the ballot paper for this election, as the deadline for withdrawal of parliamentary election candidates was 4pm on 7 June.
“Ballot papers have already been printed, as have postal voting packs.
“Like the other candidates, as an official parliamentary candidate for the Blackburn constituency, Tiger Patel continues to be subject to the rules and code of conduct that apply to candidates during the election period.”
The full list of candidates is: Kate Hollern – Labour Party; Adnan Hussain - Independent; Jamie McGowan - Conservative Party; Denise Morgan - Green Party; Craig Murray – Workers Party of Britain; Altaf 'Tiger' Patel – Independent; Natasha Shah - Independent; Tommy Temperley – Reform UK; Adam Waller-Slack – Liberal Democrats.
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