Sir Vince Cable to stand for Lib Dems in Twickenham at snap election

Sir Vince Cable has confirmed he will stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for his old Twickenham seat in the snap General Election.

The former business secretary held the London seat from 1997 to 2015, when he was the most prominent victim of his party's electoral collapse.

But with a slim Conservative majority of just 2,017 for Dr Tania Mathias and strong local opposition to hard Brexit, Twickenham could represent one of the party's best hopes of claiming a Tory scalp.

Sir Vince said he was surprised Mrs May had gone back on her pledge to wait until 2020.

He said Brexit was "a big issue for people in this area, with a Remain vote of about 70 per cent".

However, the veteran Lib Dem said he would also be campaigning on topics like Heathrow expansion, social care and cuts to local schools.

He tweeted: “I plan to lead fight back to recapture Twickenham for Lib Dems.

“Brexit. Heathrow. School cuts. Social care. Plenty to campaign on.”

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said earlier his party’s ambition was to prevent the Tories having an outright majority giving his party leverage over the terms of Brexit.

"If you want a Britain that is open, tolerant and united, this is your chance," he said.

"Only the Liberal Democrats can prevent a Conservative majority."