Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has defended the party’s decision to stand in Canterbury in the face of continuing claims that it risks handing the seat to the Conservatives.

She was pressed about the decision at the party’s manifesto launch, saying that it was right for voters to have a choice.

Campaign groups that support tactical voting say the Conservatives will win the marginal seat held by Labour unless the supporters of other parties back candidate Rosie Duffield.

In an interview on Sky, Swinson was challenged about the decision to contest Canterbury.

She said:“We are standing down in some seats but I think it is important that people have the chance to vote for a party that is absolutely a party for remain...tactical voting is not new partly because we have such an appalling voting system in this country and I am sure that different candidates in different constituencies in different parts of the country will make different tactical arguments.

"My job is to make sure that voters have the chance to vote for a party that will absolutely stand up for ‘remainers’ in all circumstances and that party is the Liberal Democrats.”

She said there were lots of seats where in previous elections it might have looked close between the Conservatives and Labour but the current situation was completely different.

“We are standing down in some seats but I think it is important that people have the chance to vote for a party that is absolutely a party for remain..."

While the party has agreed to a deal with the Green Party across 60 seats - including Tunbridge Wells - it has resisted calls for similar pacts in other constituencies.

Canterbury Liberal Democrats were asked to adopt a candidate after its initial choice - journalist Tim Walker - stood down saying he wanted Rosie Duffield to have the best chance of withstanding a challenge from the Conservatives.

Head to our politics page for expert analysis and all the latest news from your politicians and councils.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury