The Scottish MP hoping to lead the Liberal Democrats at Westminster said there would be no arrangement to cede the North East Fife seat to the SNP, following a similar deal in Wales to “guarantee” a pro-EU MP.
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire and party leadership hopeful, said the party was fielding a very strong candidate in the marginal north east Fife seat, Wendy Chamberlain, at the next General Election.
The seat is currently held by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who holds the smallest majority in the UK of two, following the snap election in 2017.
A by-election to be held in the Welsh constituency of Brecon And Radnorshire has seen the unusual step of two parties stepping aside for the Lib Dems in the hopes of a pro-remain candidate taking the seat.
Both the Green party and Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru have decided not to contest the seat, leading the Lib Dems to consider themselves the only pro-remain party on the ballot.
Asked on Sunday Politics Scotland whether a similar arrangement would be made in Scotland, in particular in Mr Gethins’ North East Fife seat, Ms Swinson said they would definitely be putting forward a candidate.
She said: “We have a fantastic candidate in North East Fife, Wendy Chamberlain. The seat has a majority of two and it is a top target for the Liberal Democrats.
“In Brecon for example, Plaid Cymru and the Greens have taken the decision they will not stand a candidate in that by-election because the Lib Dems have the clearest chance of winning and electing an MP in Jane Dodds who would be in favour of a people’s vote and stopping Brexit. Other than that, they would have a Conservative who currently holds the seat.
“In the Peterbourgh by-election we did reach an agreement between the Greens and Change UK we would field a people’s vote candidate, those discussions fell through at the last minute on a technicality when the candidate withdrew.
“The Lib Dems are the strongest and most consistent party of remain. What most people in Scotland want is Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU and that is what the Lib Dems are standing for.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “Stephen Gethins has consistently worked with like minded colleagues from across the political spectrum at Westminster to stop a hard Tory Brexit.
“He has been a consistent and strong pro-European voice for North East Fife.
“The Liberal Democrats are of course working with the Welsh nationalists and others to keep out the Tories in Wales.
“However as was shown at the General Election and the European elections just a few weeks ago the best way to beat the Tories and the Brexit Party in North East Fife and elsewhere in Scotland is to vote SNP.”
Ms Swinson ruled out entirely the prospect of forming a coalition of any kind with Jeremy Corbyn and would not be drawn on whether she would allow a second independence referendum should she become prime minister.
The winner of the Lib Dem leadership contest between Ms Swinson and Sir Ed Davey is expected to be announced on Monday afternoon.
