The Labour PPC for the area had been Sara Conway, a Jewish local councillor, but she stood down in September citing “personal matters” soon after an interview in which she appeared to suggest that antisemitism within Labour had been “weaponised”.
She later apologised for the remarks, saying that the context had been misunderstood.
Although Labour held the constituency from 1997 to 2010 and fell short of winning the seat in 2017 by fewer than 2,000 votes, recent events appear to have transformed the former Conserviatve Labour marginal.
A poll, commissioned by the Lib Dems and carried out by Survation, suggested Lib Dem candidate Luciana Berger was on 33 per cent, while Tory incumbent Mike Freer was on 25 per cent while Labour was in third on 21 per cent.
Ms Berger, who is popular locally, quit Labour in February, citing antisemitic bullying. She is a vocal opponent of Brexit, contesting a seat where more than two thirds of people voted Remain.
One senior Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) figure has already confirmed to the JC that he will not be campaigning in the constituency for Labour - with many others potentially following.
