ANTOINETTE Sandbach has announced she will stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate in December’s General Election.

The MP for Eddisbury – which includes Winsford, Sandiway, Davenham and Moulton – was one of 21 Conservative MPs to have the whip removed in September for voting against the Government in an attempt to stop a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

Ms Sandbach had appealed that decision, but she lost a vote of confidence from the Eddisbury Conservative Association on October 15.

She told BBC Breakfast earlier this week that she would stand as an independent candidate for Eddisbury on December 12, but on Thursday night she confirmed she had defected to the Lib Dems.

Ms Sandbach said: “This General Election will be the most important in my lifetime. People have a very clear choice, the Conservative party offers years of uncertainty whilst the Liberal Democrats will stop Brexit.

“I’m so proud to stand alongside other Liberal Democrat candidates across the country to fight for a brighter future with Jo Swinson, our candidate to be Prime Minister.

“I will stand on my strong local record, helping to secure local investment, fighting for fair funding for our schools and to secure additional funding in local health services.

“Our country deserves so much better than Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. I can’t wait to get to work, win this election and then deliver for my constituents and our country.”

Eddisbury Lib Dems had previously selected Ian Priestner to run in the constituency.

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Following Ms Sandbach's announcement, he said: "I am delighted to offer her my support and will be working closely with her to help deliver an outstanding result for our residents and to make sure she is elected as Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Eddisbury."

In a statement released today, November 1, a Conservative spokesman said: "We wish Antoinette well, but all the Liberal Democrats can offer is more delay and confusion.

"Trying to ignore the referendum and cancel Brexit will just mean we keep on arguing and no matter what they say now, a vote for them would risk putting Corbyn in Downing Street."