Jo Swinson has said the Liberal Democrats’ will deliver a “fair” immigration system as she visited one of the party’s top targets in the country.

The Lib Dem leader was visiting Kings Langley in the constituency of St Albans this morning, which is currently a seat held by the Conservatives.

A swing of 5.4% would see the Lib Dems take it from the Tories - the sort of which would hand the Lib Dems around half a dozen other Tory seats in southern England.

But to win St Albans they will need to defeat Anne Main, who has represented the seat for the Tories since 2005.

Ms Swinson arrived in Kings Langley on her ‘battle bus’ and was joined by the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for St Albans Daisy Cooper.

Watford Observer:

Jo Swinson at Imagination Technologies

During her visit Ms Swinson was shown around Imagination Technologies, which designs chips that power a range of hi-tech devices from smartphones and self-driving cars to data centres.

The Lib Dem leader met staff at the technology company to hear about their views on immigration, technology and engineering skills, research and development support and free trade.

After her visit Ms Swinson said: “The Liberal Democrats understand the benefits immigration has to both our society and economy, that’s why we want to stop Brexit and keep free movement.

“We’re already seeing the effects of Brexit with the chronic staff shortage in the NHS. We will stop Brexit and introduce a fair, effective immigration system – part of the Liberal Democrats’ broader plan to build a brighter future.”

Woz Ahmed, executive vice-president of corporate development and strategy at Imagination Technologies, added: “We’ve invited all the main parties to come to King’s Langley to hear about the challenges Imagination and companies like us face in recruiting highly skilled people,” said Woz Ahmed, executive vice-president of corporate development and strategy.

“Talent is our lifeblood. We have no option but to recruit from other countries because there aren’t enough technology and engineering graduates coming through in the UK. And having a diverse range of people also facilitates true innovation.

“The parties need to know how important it is that we have an immigration system that works.”