RIVAL political parties are considering forming ‘progressive alliances’ to try to oust both of Keighley district’s Conservative MPs.

A showdown between Conservative MP Philip Davies and the leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Sophie Walker, in Shipley is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic fights of this year’s General Election.

The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats are considering whether to stand aside to help Ms Walker in Shipley – which includes Cullingworth and Denholme – with both due to hold separate meetings to discuss the issue today. (April 27)

Now the Greens have suggested they could team up with Labour and the Lib Dems in Keighley too, all uniting behind a Labour candidate in a bid to unseat its MP, Kris Hopkins.

In a letter seen by the Keighley News, Janet Russell and Sian Levy, co-chairmen of the Keighley and Ilkley Green Party, claim that as a loyal Tory, Mr Hopkins will back Theresa May’s plans for a hard Brexit.

The letter says: “If we do not act together on this occasion to unseat the incumbent Conservative MP ... it may be many years before our country knows anything other than a Conservative government or the consequences of a damaging Brexit.”

It suggests the Greens would be happy to back a Labour candidate as long as they were local, against a hard Brexit and an opponent of controversial plans to build a waste-to-energy plant at Marley, which Mr Hopkins has been a supporter of.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats said party members would debate the Greens' proposal for Keighley when they meet today to discuss whether to stand in Shipley.

But Labour poured cold water on any suggestion of a pact in either constituency, with a spokesman saying: “We don’t do progressive alliances. We don’t do deals.”

The Greens confirmed they had been asked by the Women’s Equality Party not to field a candidate for Shipley.

Matt Edwards, of Bradford Green Party, said it was “possible” they could agree to the plan, adding: “We and our members are in the process of discussing the offer.”

Mr Davies said his “campaign will not change”, regardless of who was or wasn’t standing against him.

He has welcomed the Women's Equality Party's decision to put up a candidate to contest his seat, saying: "She [Sophie Walker] is very welcome. I am a democrat. The more people stand the better. I'm very happy for her to stand in Shipley."

Ms Walker said: "Philip Davies's track record of misogyny should have no place in Parliament.

"Shipley deserves an MP who will represent the needs and interests of all its constituents."

Mr Hopkins added: “The democratic process is something to be celebrated and I welcome any challenge that comes along.”

The Labour Party had not yet confirmed a candidate of its own for Keighley and Ilkley by the time the Keighley News went to print.

But it has announced a voter registration drive to make sure everyone in Keighley and Ilkley has a vote.

It says thousands of Keighley voters, especially younger people, fell off the electoral roll and lost their right to a say after the changes brought in by the Conservative Government last year.

A Labour spokesman said: "The General Election is a golden opportunity for the people of Keighley and Ilkley to elect an MP who will listen to their views and protect the vital services they rely on.

"Anyone who cares about the NHS, protecting state pensions and improving education for our kids should make sure they have a vote and use it wisely."

The deadline to register to vote is May 22. Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote or call 01274 432287 to register.