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Tim Farron refused to admit the Liberal Democrat anti-Brexit strategy had backfired after Sophy Ridge told him he had "put eggs in the wrong basket". During a tense interview on Sky News, Ridge said the anticipated Liberal Democrat fightback had become a "Lib Dem flop". Despite high expectations of a pro-EU surge, Liberal Democrats have languished in single digits in the polls, with just two weeks to go until the election. Ridge said the party's decision to pin their election hopes on the pledge of a second referendum on the EU had been a disaster.

SKY Tim Farron refused to admit that the Liberal Democrat anti-Brexit strategy had backfired

Tim Farron denied this had been a mistake, saying his party was the only election force threatening Conservative seats. The Sky News host said this "was an interesting spin to put on the fact that before this election you only had nine MPs, so you start from a very low base". She then pointed out: "All that talk of a Lib Dem surge has stalled, hasn't it? You've found out that the majority of people don’t want to see the results overturned "They don’t want to rerun the referendum again and yet that is effectively what you are offering with this idea of a referendum on the deal where to remain in the EU is an option. "You put your eggs in the wrong basket here, didn't you Tim? It has backfired."

SKY Farron became visibly rattled during the interview, as Ridge pointed out his failings as a leader

Snap election 2017: The pictures politicians may not want you to see Sat, May 27, 2017 Protests, fights and daleks, it all happened when the politicians hit the campaign trail for the snap election Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 48 A UK Independence Party supporter (L) scuffles with a pro-europe supporter ahead of a visit by UKIP leader Paul Nuttall to Hartlepool

You put your eggs in the wrong basket, didn't you Tim? Sophy Ridge

Mr Farron said: "Given that Labour and UKIP voted along with May to choose a bleak destiny, Liberal Democrats say to the British people, we trust you with the final outcome on the deal. "We’ll give you the opportunity to either accept that deal if you want or to say no thanks, we’ll remain. "In three weeks it will be too late, this is the last chance saloon. He added: "Once Brexit moves from the emotional to the practical, I’m quite convinced the Liberal Democrats will be proved without a shadow of a doubt absolutely right." When pressed by Ridge, the Liberal Democrat leader admitted he would resign if his party fails at the election. Ridge asked: "If you fail to increase the number of MPs that you had before the election, would you resign as leader?" Mr Farron said: "Well of course I take responsibility, I am the leader of the party but this is not about making a tactical calculation."

SKY Liberal Democrats have languished in single digits in the polls