Anti-Brexit Lib Dem party in UK fields 14 Indian-origin candidates

LONDON: The UK’s Liberal Democrats hope to win the support of a large number of people who voted for Britain to remain in the European Union, and 14 Indianorigin candidates are part of its appeal.

The party was in a coalition with the Conservative government of Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010-2015, but lost heavily in the 2015 election. Its strength was reduced to 8 MPs from 57 in 2010.

It now hopes to recover by being the only party to promise another referendum on Brexit.

Dadabhai Naoroji was one of the first MPs of the party in its earlier incarnation as the Liberal Party.

He was elected from Finsbury Central in 1892, but has struggled to enlist substantial support from the Indian community in Britain.

The party fielded 14 Indian-origin candidates in the 2015 election also. The Conservatives fielded 13 Indian-origin candidates for the June 8 election, while Labour has 14 from the community, which had voted largely to remain in the EU.

Positioning itself as the party of “Remainers”, it has also held out the prospect of reinstating the post-study work visa popular with Indian students.

The visa allowed Indian and other non-EU students to work for two years after completing studies, but was abolished in 2012.

Party leader Tim Farron told Hindustan Times: “It is ludicrous that we take in Indian students, train them, and then as soon as they are skilled and ready to work, the Conservatives boot them out of the country.”

“British universities are world leaders that attract some of the most talented individuals from India to the benefit of the UK economy.

“But instead of encouraging them to stay here and contribute to keeping Britain at the forefront of cutting-edge research, this Conservative Brexit government forces them out.”