Vince Cable visited businesses in Carshalton and Wallington this morning, to show support for the constituency’s Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake.

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills dropped in at grocery store Carshalton Patch, before heading to the offices of energy services provider United Corporation.

Government ministers will be passing through the borough regularly over the next few months, to get behind their party’s candidates for the May general election.

After the Liberal Democrats took a drubbing in the local elections across the UK this year, Mr Cable explained how he feels the party retained its seats in Sutton.

He said: "I think it’s reflective of very good MP’s (who are) committed to their constituency work around the year, together with a very efficient council. 

"It’s not making a lot of noise, you don’t hear a lot about Sutton Council, but we have heard about their record and it’s very impressive."

The MP for Twickenham was speaking at the offices of United Corporation, who act as a supplier to to the oil and gas industry.

The firm is based in Stafford Road, Wallington.

Your Local Guardian:

The minister with United Corporation Managing Director Karim Fatehi MBE

Following the council’s proposal to close all of Sutton’s theatres, we asked Mr Cable if they should do more to protect cultural services.

He said: "I’m a culture vulture myself. I love music and film, and I don’t want to see (culture) sacrificed.

"In order to make sure that doesn’t happen, we have got to make sure the department for communities and local government doesn’t brutally cut support to local government.

"We need a much better balance of tax and spend, and a phasing of budget measures which don’t force this kind of bad activity on local councils." 

Mr Brake said: "Fortunately in Sutton we are in the position where hopefully the theatres will be taken over by commercial operations. There have been a number of bids that will hopefully ensure their survival."

Earlier this morning Mr Cable and Mr Brake visited the Carshalton Patch grocery store in Gordon Road, Carshalton.