A candidate from the Green Party is currently embroiled in a controversial situation, as he seeks to evict his Labour opponent from a property he owns using a no-fault eviction notice. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially since the Green Party has positioned itself as a strong advocate against such eviction practices.

William Pedley, who is running for the Greens in the Victoria ward of North Northamptonshire council, has issued a Section 21 notice to Kelly Duddridge, his tenant and political rival. Duddridge has been residing in the property for over a decade, making this eviction notice a source of significant stress for her and her family.

Duddridge has expressed her anguish regarding the threat of eviction, stating, I am trying not to think about having to move away from the house. I love the neighbours, and my four children are settled. But the reality is, once a Section 21 notice has been served, there is not much I can do about it. Her comments illustrate the emotional toll that the potential eviction is taking on her family.

The Labour Party has been quick to call out Pedley for what they describe as blatant hypocrisy. A spokesperson for Labour remarked, This is yet more rank hypocrisy from the Green Party. Threatening to evict a tenant via no-fault eviction while standing on a platform to abolish Section 21 simply beggars belief. Time and again they pledge one thing and do another. This criticism not only highlights the conflicting principles at play but also the political implications of such actions during an election period.

In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for the Green Party clarified, We understand that Mr. Pedley served the Section 21 eviction notice almost a year ago. The order was served because his personal circumstances meant he required the premises for his own use. This statement attempts to justify Pedleys actions, framing it as a personal necessity rather than a political maneuver.

Section 21 notices allow landlords to reclaim their properties with just two months notice, regardless of the tenant's behavior or circumstances. This practice has become increasingly controversial, with Labour recently proposing a bill aimed at abolishing such evictions entirely. This bill has already cleared the House of Commons and is set to be debated in the House of Lords.

Interestingly, the Green Party has also shown support for the abolition of no-fault evictions. Their initiative, titled Fair Deal for Renters, champions the idea that ending this practice would help ensure that tenants do not have their lives disrupted at the whim of landlords. Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, tweeted her support, stating, The immediate ban on Section 21 no fault evictions is very welcome and will help protect over 10 million renters from the risk of eviction.

Duddridge revealed that Pedley had attempted to evict her family back in 2016 but retracted the eviction notice after just three weeks. However, in March of the previous year, he issued another Section 21 notice, giving her a mere two months to vacate the property. Despite this pressure, Duddridge remains in the house, having received a legal warning last August instructing her to leave by October 12.

Determined to fight for her home, Duddridge has stated her intention to stay in the property until bailiffs arrive, as she has been advised that this might make her more eligible for council housing. Running in this election has been my sanctuary from the stress of the potential move, she shared, adding her disbelief at seeing her landlord also compete in the election. This juxtaposition of her personal struggle against the backdrop of a political campaign underscores the often complex and challenging realities faced by renters.