THE LIBERAL Democrat’s candidate for Walthamstow is calling on voters to support his party in standing up to the Tories over their hard Brexit.

Ukonu Obasi, a public health specialist, will stand in the General Election on June 8.

The 38-year-old is originally from Nigeria and has lived in Walthamstow for the past five years.

He said: “I have the backing of the only consistently pro-EU party to stand up to the Tories over their economically and diplomatically disastrous hard Brexit.

“This election is our last chance to choose the direction of our country, and of wider Europe.

“Our place in the EU is something we cherish and I believe it is something that helps our police, our economy and our way of life.”

Sixty-six per cent of Walthamstow voted to remain in the EU in last June’s referendum.

Mr Obasi questioned whether Labour candidate for Walthamstow Stella Creasy could “get anything done” and said his party is the only “viable opposition” to the Tories in Parliament.

He said: “While Stella Creasy has served the community on local issues, and while we have similar views on Europe, she is a minority in Corbyn’s Labour Party.

“How can she hold the Tories to account by herself when her leader whipped the vast majority of his MPs to vote through triggering Brexit with absolutely no successful challenges.

“The only successful challenge came from Lib Dem Peers - that is why we need more Lib Dem MPs in Parliament.”

It will be Mr Obasi’s first time standing for election. He joined the Lib Dems following the General Election in 2015. The Liberal Democrat’s got four per cent of the votes in Walthamstow.

The former NHS worker promises to work with Bart’s Health Trust to improve services at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

The troubled hospital was placed in special measures after a damning report by healthcare watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2015.

He said: “I will be working to ensure A and E services at Whipps Cross are protected. We have to increase taxation to ensure healthcare and social care are fully funded.

“I will campaign strongly to make sure there’s funding and provision for mental health services.

“As someone who has worked in the NHS I know first-hand how difficult it is to overcome that stigma in the community. I believe in an open, tolerant and united nation.”