THE Green Party will not have a candidate at next month’s General Election after an application to field two candidates to job share the role was turned down by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The party submitted an application to the borough council for Sarah Cope and Clare Phipps to share the role of MP as neither of the hopefuls would be able to fulfil the role on a full-time basis as Cope is the main carer for two young children and Phipps suffers from a disability called “idiopathic hypersomnia” which means she sleeps for around 12 hours a day.

But the application, which was submitted to the borough council yesterday, has been declined over an Electoral Commission ruling which prevents MPs from sharing the role.

The Green Party has had an MP job-share policy since 2012 and in 2010, Caroline Lucas – the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion – used her first speech as the party’s leader to call for more job-shares to encourage more female MPs and make Westminster accessible to ordinary people.

Sarah Cope, who is 36, said: “Allowing job-share MPs has been a Green Party policy since 2012, and it is an idea that has also gained considerable traction within several other political parties.

“It is an idea that would open up parliament to a much more diverse group of people, including more women, those with childcare and other caring responsibilities and those with disabilities.”

Ms Cope added: “If voters have the chance to vote for people who are more like them, and who can relate to issues within their lives such as living with disabilities, or coping with caring responsibilities, they may be more likely to engage with the democratic process.”

Clare Phipps, 26, added: “A simple change in the law will suddenly mean these people are no longer forced to choose between a career in politics or giving up a family or their caring responsibilities, and will open the door to people with a range of disabilities who like me are unable to work full time.

“It's time our government reflected the people it is representing. Allowing job share MPs is just one way we can change politics for the better.”

The Green Party hopefuls are now seeking legal advice before calling for a judicial review on the decision.