Battersea’s Tory MP Jane Ellison has been urged to ‘reject Theresa May’s hard Brexit manifesto’ and pledge to stay in the single market.

Liberal Democrats in Battersea have written to their rival in the wake of residents overwhelmingly voting to remain and the expectation that the Prime Minister will include her negotiating priorities in the snap general election manifesto “in an attempt to lock all Conservative candidates into supporting a hard Brexit”.

In a letter to Ms Ellison, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Battersea Richard Davis: “If Jane Ellison signs up to a Hard Brexit manifesto, it would go against everything she says she believes in and everything people in this area believe in.

“It would show our local MP is not willing to stand up for our local economy or the many European citizens living here.”

The Lib Dems’ main campaign pledge is to avoid a “disastrous” hard Brexit by remaining in the single market and defending the rights of the 12,641 European citizens living in Battersea.

Ms Ellison said remaining in the single market is not likely as the European Commission’s demands in return for it are not exchanges the PM is willing to accept.

She said: “The EU Commission has been clear that the UK cannot remain a member of the single market without accepting 'the four freedoms' including free movement of people, something all political parties accept was a big concern for many UK voters at the Referendum.

“The Prime Minister is however seeking a wide-ranging free trade agreement with the EU which would give UK firms the maximum freedom to trade with the Single Market and I support her in this aim.”

Battersea residents voted 75 per cent remain in the EU referendum.

Mr Davis said the unexpected general election is the chance for voters to “change the direction” of the country.

He added: “People here deserve an MP who will stand up for what they believe in, including fighting to prevent a disastrous hard Brexit and keep Britain in the single market.

“Jane Ellison must make clear where she stands on what is the biggest issue of the day.

“The Liberal Democrats are united in saying we will stand up for Britain's place in Europe and to keep our country open, tolerant and united.”