The Liberal Democrats are drawing up plans to allow nonmembers to vote in the party’s next leadership contest, which could see a political outsider — like Brexit campaigner Gina Miller — take the helm for the first time, BuzzFeed News understands.

The party hopes the move will boost its profile and appeal to millions of floating voters who feel the centre ground has been abandoned by the two main parties.

Insiders believe that an open leadership contest — which could see a charismatic non-MP take the reins — is the party’s best chance of reviving its dwindling fortunes amid the turmoil of Brexit negotiations.

Under the plans, people who aren’t Lib Dem members would be allowed to register as "supporters" of the party so they can cast their vote for the next leader.

The leadership contest could happen as early as next March, if the rule change to allow nonpoliticians to stand is accepted by members later this year.

The move has echoes of Labour’s decision to allow "registered supporters" to vote for its new leader in 2015, which saw Jeremy Corbyn propelled to victory and led to a big surge in membership.