THE views of our MPs on plans for a £123m flood channel to protect Oxford are important.

Several have fought to get a hearing on the scheme and Downing Street officials have held talks to look at what could be done.

But David Cameron is in the tricky position of having to represent his West Oxfordshire constituents and run the country.

And that leaves him having to argue for things that his own Government would have to pay for.

So far, the PM has made some encouraging noises about the channel.

However, he has said that there are issues to do with value for money that need to be looked at.

Now, in the wake of recent talks, he is saying more.

As we reveal today, he says there is a strong argument for saying the channel should go ahead.

That is important and backing does not come from any higher up the chain.

But victory has not been achieved, money has not been secured and there is still a long way to go.

If the scheme really is the answer – and that is something many are saying – the city needs to keep pushing for this channel to be built.

That means not giving up. It means lobbying and it means pestering. The city has been through enough. Now is the time for something to happen.