TATTON Lib Dems are calling on their Tory counterparts to choose a candidate who will fight against a ‘hard Brexit’ in tonight’s vote.

In an open letter to Don Hammond, chairman of the Tatton Conservative Association, Lib Dem candidate Gareth Wilson has urged George Osborne’s replacement to agree to help keep Britain in the single market.

He also calls on the Tory candidate to defend the right to remain for EU citizens, and protect workers’ rights, environmental protections and consumer rights currently enshrined in EU law.

“George Osborne campaigned to Remain in the referendum and this constituency delivered a clear vote to stay in the EU,” he said.

“Even many of those who voted leave in Tatton do not agree with the extreme form of hard Brexit Theresa May has chosen, including leaving the single market and refusing to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living here.

“I therefore urge you to stick with your principles, reject May's hard Brexit manifesto and select a candidate who will represent the wishes of the local people.”

While 51.2 per cent of voters in east Cheshire voted to leave the EU in last June’s referendum, 54 per cent of voters in the former Macclesfield borough – including Knutsford and Wilmslow – voted to remain.

Tatton Tories will choose their candidate for June’s General Election at a meeting held tonight.

Members will choose between former Wirral West MP Esther McVey, Cllr Alex Williams, deputy leader of Trafford Council, and Northern Powerhouse champion Katherine Fletcher, of Knutsford.

The Green Party announced last week that Nigel Hennerley, of High Legh, will contest the election in Tatton.

An announcement for Labour’s candidate is expected next week, while UKIP is yet to confirm if anyone will stand in the election for Tatton.

Meanwhile, Mr Wilson, of Mobberley, praised the turnout for Tatton Lib Dems’ meeting this week, where he promised members he would oppose a ‘hard Brexit’, fight the national funding formula for schools, protect Macclesfield Hospital and its Millbrook Unit, and campaign against HS2 and fracking.

“People who have never been involved with politics are flocking to us as they fear the Britain they love is under threat from Brexit, intolerance and ideological cuts from this deeply right wing government,” he said.

“I believe we have the supporters and enthusiasm to take this seat from a complacent Tory party.”