The Liberal Democrats have announced their parliamentary candidates for Harrow as they seek to break the two-party monopoly in the borough.

Adam Bernard, who stood in the 2017 General Election, will hope to unseat Tory Bob Blackman in Harrow East, while Lisa-Maria Bornemann will take on Labour’s Gareth Thomas in Harrow West.

The pair want to remind voters in the borough that there are other options available and believe they can better represent residents on key areas such as Brexit.

Mr Bernard said: “I want to increase awareness of the ways that the Lib Dems offer a distinctive alternative to the two larger parties.

“From our opposition to Brexit and our refusal to scapegoat immigrants, to our policy to end benefit sanctions, to strengthening the rights of tenants, we can make a positive difference to the lives of people in Harrow.”

Mr Bernard challenged Mr Blackman in the snap election two years ago and took more than three per cent of the vote – a slight increase on the Lib Dem total in 2015.

But both he and his party appreciate the effort it will take to break the Conservative-Labour monopoly in the region – they have held both seats in Harrow since the constituencies were established.

Ms Bornemann said she is standing to promote the policies she shares with her party and she hopes others will be convinced enough to join her cause.

She said: “I got involved in politics after the 2015 General Election. The Liberal Democrats were the one party that supported my values of liberalism, personal freedom and positive international relations.”

This will also be the first election that Ms Bornemann, who grew up in Germany, will be able to vote in after she gained British citizenship last summer.

The Liberal Democrats – the joint-fourth-largest group in Parliament – have been vocal in their opposition to the UK’s plans to leave the European Union.

They have promoted an ‘exit from Brexit’ campaign and are supporting a people’s vote on the withdrawal agreement.