The Liberal Democrats are strong local champions who play the role of a conscience of the UK’s foreign policy in parliament, according to party candidates seeking support from the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) migrant communities.

As the focus of the General Election debates lingers on taxation, public spending and various political scandals in the run-up to the polling day on 4 July, the party is trying to woo Hong Kongers with its long-standing support of the city as well as a manifesto promising a fair deal for all.

“We will be strong local champions, knocking on doors listening to you all year round,” said Bobby Dean, the Lib Dems’ candidate for the Greater London constituency of Carshalton & Wallington, who attended an election forum organised by Hong Kong activists in Sutton last month.

According to the BBC poll tracker of the latest opinion polls, the Lib Dem remains as the fourth most popular political party with an average 11 percentage-point rating, behind Labour (40%), Conservatives (20%) and Reform UK (16%). Observers believe that the party which traditionally plays the third-party role in British politics is set to gain seats in some marginal constituencies where it clashes head-on with the Conservatives.

Running on a 116-page platform which pledges to deliver better health service and social care, the Lib Dem plans to fund the cost by increasing capital gains tax for the rich, plus new levies on energy companies, aviation and banks.

Dean said that his party’s policies and values are in line with the needs of Hong Kong migrants who share the desire for fairness in taxation and a level-playing field for businesses, environmental protection as well as the democratic aspirations.

“In parliament, the Liberal Democrats are Britain’s conscience on international issues. I mentioned [Paddy] Ashdown’s leadership on the issue of Hong Kong in the early 90s, where he was literally laughed at in parliament for persisting with this issue. Very often, a Liberal voice in parliament can be incredibly effective, even when we are not forming an official opposition yet or government. The Liberals’ voice can influence and set the agenda.”

Similar to what many of his party colleagues have done when discussing the topic of Hong Kong, Dean invoked the name of the late Lib Dem leader Lord Ashdown, whose campaign before the handover to give Hong Kong people the right of abode in the UK and his outspoken stance for freedom and human rights had earned him cross-party respect.

The Lib Dem’s long-standing interests in Hong Kong affairs is reflected in its manifesto, which vows to “stand with Hong Kong” by continuing to fight for BNO passport holders’ rights by “closing the gaps” in the BNO visa scheme. It also calls for extending BNO integration funding for Hong Kongers in the UK for the next five years.

In marked difference from other parties on the issue of immigrants, the Lib Dems have taken a more compassionate stance and called for revamping the current stringent asylum system and instead “provide safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees”.

As regards the UK’s international relations, the party vows to “resist those states that threaten us and robustly challenge our allies” when standing up for the value of democracy, liberty, human rights and the rule of law. Specifically, China and Russia were singled out, with Taiwan and Ukraine named for requiring UK support.

The Lib Dems also support the usage of the UK’s Magnitsky sanctions against human rights abuses, and called for the banning of imports from areas with “egregious abuses such as Xinjiang”. It pledges to strengthen partnership with international bodies and Europe to counter the rise in authoritarianism.

In the Sutton election forum, several Hong Kong voters have raised practical problems which are the results of current government policies. One of such issues is the requirement for BNO holders to join long queues at border counters, instead of passing through e-gates like other British passport holders. Hong Kongers have also complained about having to pay hefty international tuition fees for sending their children to university.

Luke Taylor, Lib Dems’ candidate for Sutton and Cheam, agreed that Hong Kongers should be afforded the same rights as locals over these two issues. “There should absolutely be no second-class citizenship. It should be respecting, and it should be giving the dignity of you and your children as a home citizen and home students.”

Other candidates in Carshalton and Wallington are: Atif Abdul Rashid (Workers Party of Britain); Elliot Colburn (Conservative); Elizabeth Cooper (Reform UK); Ashley Dickenson (Christian Peoples Alliance); Tracey Hague (Green); Steve Kelleher (Social Democratic Party); and Hersh Thaker (Labour). In Sutton and Cheam, they are: Hamilton Action-Man Kingsley (Independent); Aasha Anam (Green); Tom Drummond (Conservative); Ryan Powell (Reform UK); and Chrishni Reshekaron (Labour).