Peterborough schoolboy turned London lawyer plans return to the city... as MP fighting to overturn Brexit

Peter Ward moved to Peterborough aged 10, attending Fulbridge and The King's schools, before moving to London for work.

But he now hopes to make the city his home again, only this time as the first ever Renew Party MP if he can triumph ahead of a crowded field of 15 on June 6 - the date of a parliamentary by-election following the recall of Fiona Onasanya.

With so many candidates to choose from, and many standing on polarising Brexit tickets, Mr Ward insists Renew stands out by being the "true Remain party".

The barrister, who specialises in anti-discrimination and sexual harrassment cases, stood unsuccessfully for the Green Party in the safe Labour seat of Ealing Southall at the 2017 General Election.

But despite admiring aspects of his old party, expecially its MP Caroline Lucas, Mr Ward said it, the Liberal Democrats and Labour all have Leave-supporting politicians in them, unlike Renew, which wants a second referendum to be held on whether the UK should leave the European Union.

"Although we do of course respect the will of the people and love democracy, the referendum was a huge, huge mistake that should not have happened," he told the Peterborough Telegraph on a brief break from campaigning.

"If you want to Remain and want to ensure you will have an MP that is utterly committed to that, I'm your choice.

"We are a new party - I don't like the term centrist, but we do listen to experts. Particlarly we are asking the question 'how did we get into the mess we are in now, and what are the answers?'

"We are tough on Brexit and tough on the causes of Brexit."

Mr Ward's campaign is also focusing on the environment, education and housing.

A driver of an electric car, he wants to see more charging points and bigger subsidies for electrical vehicles.