General Election ones to watch: Newington’s focus on the rising stars across the political spectrum. This week, Newington's Victoria McNish looks at Julian Huppert, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Cambridge.

Former Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge from 2010-15, Julian Huppert has been chosen to contest the constituency that he lost to Labour candidate Daniel Zeichner in the 2015 General Election.

Although the constituency of Cambridge was held by the Lib Dems from 2001-10, the seat has historically bounced between Labour and the Conservatives. Huppert was elected as the MP in 2010 with a majority of more than 6,000, whilst the Labour candidate Daniel Zeichner came third behind the Conservatives. However, Zeichner then took hold of the seat in 2015 with a majority of just 599 votes.

Despite Huppert campaigning against the increase in tuition fees and voting against the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition Government on the issue in the Commons, the subsequent increase in fees undoubtedly played a part in why the student-heavy city of Cambridge turned red in 2015. However, with Cambridge voting overwhelmingly to remain (73.8%) in the EU in last year’s referendum, and the Liberal Democrats' firm pro-EU stance this election, the vote may swing in Huppert’s favour. Unsurprisingly, he is passionately pro-European and has vowed to fight against Brexit.

In Parliament, foreign affairs and human rights were two of his key political interests. He was an anti-nuclear weapons campaigner, and voted against the use of UK military forces overseas. Acting as a local champion for Cambridge, Huppert secured significant amounts of government funding for its schools, for the NHS, and to improve transport provision in the area. These are all issues he has been campaigning on in his drive to win back the seat, and if re-elected we can expect him to continue fighting for both ethical foreign policy and local issues.

He made quite an impression during his five years on the benches; nominated by party members as the most impressive new Lib Dem MP, and named by the Telegraph as the top backbencher in its list of the most influential Liberal Democrats. Known for being independently minded and a key rebel on the Lib Dem benches, he nevertheless gained respect among the Party’s leadership for his intellect.

Prior to entering Parliament, Huppert was a research scientist having received a PhD in biological chemistry from Cambridge University in 2005 where he went on to become an academic fellow. After losing his seat to Labour, the former MP returned to academic life conducting research and teaching at the University. 

This may be one of the Liberal Democrats key target seats, but Huppert himself has said that this election race could be another “cliffhanger”. With Huppert tipped to lead the Lib Dem “fightback”, the seat really is Labour's to lose.