Vince Cable has said "it would be foolish" for the Lib Dems to compete with Independent Group MPs in elections.

It came as a Shadow Minister told the Mirror most of the seven who resigned their membership would seek new seats if they hoped to be re-elected to Parliament.

And he warned that up to 30 more MPs could walkout over the next few weeks.

The frontbencher told the Mirror they would look for Remain-supporting constituencies - and agree “non-aggression pacts” with Lib Dems so they did not split the pro-EU, centrist vote.

Sir Vince has now publicly backed this idea agreeing that the new grouping, which was formed on Monday, shared many of the beliefs of his own party saying: "we have to cooperate, there is a lot in common".

(Image: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/Shutterstock)

The party leader added that under the UK's electoral system the two groups could "damage each other very badly" if they stood against one another.

Asked about Sir Vince's comments, MP Chris Leslie of the Independent Group said: "We're not joining the Lib Dems. We believe there are problems with all the parties... They have got a clear trust issue."

The Liberal Democrats and Green Party did not stand candidates against one another in a number of seats in the 2017 General Election.

The eight former Labour MPs and three former Tories are currently sitting together in the House of Commons in an informal grouping.

But Streatham MP Chuka Umunna has said he hopes they will be a formal party by the end of the year.

Sir Vince explained: "The First Past the Post system means we would damage each other very badly so we have to have to cooperate, there is a lot in common in terms of values."

(Image: Leon Neal)

Referring to comments made by former Tory MP Anna Soubry, Sir Vince praised the way the Tories and Lib Dems worked together under the coalition describing it as a "very good relationship".

Labour insiders believe voters could back a pro-EU candidate - but may be reluctant to support Labour for fear of propelling Mr Corbyn to No10.

Seats which could be targeted include Wimbledon in south-west London, held by pro-EU Tory minister Stephen Hammond who has a majority of 5,622.

Though he has signalled he could quit the frontbench if Britain heads for a hard Brexit , he could be punished by voters for helping push through EU withdrawal.

(Image: Getty Images)

Other seats could include Chipping Barnet in north London, held by arch Brexiteer Tory former Cabinet Minister Theresa Villiers with a tiny 353 majority, and Iain Duncan Smith’s Chingford and Wood Green constituency, where the former Welfare Secretary has a 2,438 majority.

Tory Matthew Offord in Hendon, north London, could be vulnerable with a majority of just 1,072.

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And defectors could also target Leave-supporting Labour MP Kate Hoey in Vauxhall, south London.

She enjoys a massive 20,250 majority but is a leading Brexiteer in a constituency which voted 77.6% for Remain.