Camden, Haringey and Brent Liberal Democrats have said only their candidates can “change the direction” of the country – and potentially even “halt” Brexit entirely.

Ham & High: Stephen Crosher. Picture: Stephen CrosherStephen Crosher. Picture: Stephen Crosher (Image: Archant)

Holborn and St Pancras candidate Stephen Crosher, Hampstead and Kilburn hopeful Kirsty Allan and Hornsey and Wood Green’s Dawn Barnes have all put the European Union at the fore as their campaigns for the June 8 general election begin.

Stephen Crosher – who is also standing as the party’s candidate for the Gospel Oak by-election on May 4 – addressed “those who want to protect our local economy” by staying in the EU single market and said: “This is your chance.”

He added: “The Liberal Democrats are the real opposition to the Conservative Brexit government and the only party fighting for a Britain that is open, tolerant and united.

“[We are] the only party that embraces the cultural diversity we enjoy in Camden and has a positive vision for the future.”

Ham & High: Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in Downing Street, London, announcing a snap general election on June 8. John Stillwell/PA WirePrime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in Downing Street, London, announcing a snap general election on June 8. John Stillwell/PA Wire

He also inverted a sentiment popular with the Leave campaign about “taking the country back” from Brussels control.

“We want to take our country forward, not back,” he said.

Kirsty Allan, who stood as the party’s candidate for Westminster North in the 2015 general election, said voting Lib Dem is a chance to prevent a “disastrous hard Brexit”.

She added: “This election is a huge opportunity for voters in Camden to change the direction of our country.

Ham & High: Catherine West MPCatherine West MP (Image: Archant)

“Sufficient votes for the Lib Dems nationally could even halt the process entirely.”

Ms Allan also stressed that the people of Camden “voted decisively to remain in the EU”, and “certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brext that Theresa May has imposed on us”.

She added that Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party, however, have “remorselessly backed” Britain’s departure from the EU.

In Haringey, meanwhile, Dawn Barnes is set to go against Labour’s Catherine West – who, like Ms Siddiq, voted against the triggering of Article 50.

Ms Barnes, who went against David Cameron in his Whitney constituency in 2010, echoed her colleagues in saying the Lib Dems are the “real opposition” to the Conservatives and the only party fighting for an “open, tolerant and united” Britain.

She added: “People in Hornsey and Wood Green voted decisively to remain in the EU, and certainly did not vote for the extreme form of Brexit that Theresa May has imposed on us after being backed by Labour.

“For all those who want to protect our local economy by staying in the single market and ensure the people have the final say over what comes next, this is your chance.”

The seat was previously held by Lynne Featherstone, who was part of the Lib Dem-Conservative coalition government between 2010 and 2015.