Pro-EU parties are in talks over forming a Remain alliance to support an independent candidate in the upcoming Peterborough by-election.

Voters will go to the polls in the Cambridgeshire city in June to replace former Labour MP Fiona Onasanya, who lost her seat after being jailed for perverting the course of justice.

The Liberal Democrats, the Greens and newly-formed party Change UK were "holding conversations about supporting a candidate" last night, a source close to the talks confirmed.

The seat has traditionally been fought over by Labour and the Tories, with Ms Onasanya seizing it from Tory Brexiteer Stewart Jackson in 2017 by some 600 votes.

However Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party has sought to capitalise on the strong Leave vote in the area, announcing it will field Mike Greene, a former contestant on Channel 4's Secret Millionaire, as a candidate.

Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Show all 12 1 /12 Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Change UK Details on the individual MPs are in the following photos Reuters Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Heidi Allen Anti-Brexit MP for South Cambridgeshire resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chuka Umunna MP for Streatham since 2010 and prominent People's Vote supporter PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Anna Soubry The prominent anti-Brexit MP for Broxtowe resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Luciana Berger MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, resigned from the Labour Party over bullying and anti-semitism PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Sarah Wollaston Anti-Brexit MP for Totnes resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Joan Ryan MP for Enfield North resigned from the Labour party on February 19 citing its tolerance of a "culture of anti-Jewish racism" PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Ann Coffey MP for Stockport since 1992 Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Gavin Shuker MP for Luton South since 2010 Getty Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chris Leslie MP for Nottingham East since 2010 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South since 1992 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Angela Smith MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge since 2010

Change UK MP Anna Soubry set hares running with a tweet, since deleted, which said: “Happy to confirm that this was initiated by Change UK.

"In these extraordinary political times it’s right to get behind a People's Vote Remain Independent candidate.

"We are again putting country before party.”

But it is understood that talks are still ongoing over whether the pro-EU parties could support a single candidate, rather than splitting the Remain vote in what it sure to be an closely-fought election.

Time is running out as candidates for the June 6 by-election have to be declared by 4pm on Thursday.

Candidates announced so far include Lisa Forbes for Labour, Paul Bristow for the Conservatives, Beki Sellick for the Lib Dems, Joseph Wells for the Greens, John Whitby for Ukip, Patrick O'Flynn for the SDP and Alan 'Howling Laud' Hope for the Monster Raving Loony Party.

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The Conservatives lost Peterborough City Council to no overall control in last week's local elections after three years in charge of the consistently marginal authority.

Labour remain the second largest group on the council with 17 seats, followed by the Lib Dems with nine.