A CANDIDATE for Lewisham-Deptford says TV election debates have ruined his chances of becoming the first ever Green MP.

Darren Johnson spoke exclusively to News Shopper as candidates across Lewisham nervously await results from Sedgehill School in Bellingham.

He said: “The debates have hit us (The Green party) hard and have had an impact on my individual campaign.

“The debates turned what was a contest over the best MP for your local area into a prime minister contest – more like the American system.

“The Green Party and other parties such as Plaid Cymru should have been invited to at least one of the debates. It's ridiculous that we weren't.”