GENERAL ELECTION: Support for Remain makes Oxford ‘key’ battleground

After Theresa May yesterday called for a national poll on June 8, the Liberal Democrats claimed the city’s sitting MPs were vulnerable because of their support for triggering the Brexit process.

It also emerged this morning that Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has decided not to stand.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron vowed Oxford would be a ‘major priority’ and claimed majorities of tens of thousands could be upended.

Referring to the 2015 general election and the EU referendum last year, he said: “That landscape has changed completely, to the point where we are now the only opposition against a Conservative ‘hard Brexit’.

“It is our view that only the people should decide on the final deal with the EU and the Government should not be given a blank cheque on something we will have to live with for generations.”

He pointed to Conservative MP Nicola Blackwood’s overturning of the 7,700-vote Liberal Democrat majority in Oxford West and Abingdon seven years ago as proof his party could do the same this year.

Mr Farron added: “It is another reminder that things remain very fluid. At this time in politics, anything can happen and that does not just apply to the worst things.

“Oxford will be a major priority for us as we look at where to put our resources.”

His comments came after both Labour’s Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, and Tory MP Mrs Blackwood voted with the Government at the end of January to trigger Article 50, the start of the formal process to exit the EU.

More than 70 per cent of voters in Oxford backed the Remain campaign. Mr Smith insisted yesterday it was right to respect the national result of the referendum, which saw 52 per cent back Leave.

But he accused Theresa May and the Conservatives of trying to ‘seize a moment of apparent party advantage’ as Labour trailed them in the polls.

He added: “It is the chance instead for people to show they have had enough of cuts to the NHS, social care and schools, and to vote for a better future with Labour, safeguarding jobs, services and our environment, steering clear of the dangers of a hard Brexit whilst respecting the referendum verdict. Oxford Labour will campaign hard to stand up for our communities.”

Mrs Blackwood, who has previously said opposing Brexit would ‘undermine our democracy’, said holding a general election would help to provide a ‘strong and stable’ government as the UK entered talks with other European states.

She added: “I have demonstrated my commitment to fighting for Oxford West and Abingdon’s priorities over the past seven years and I hope residents will continue to trust me to deliver this.”

To win Mrs Blackwood’s seat, the Lib Dems would need to overturn her majority of almost 10,000 from 2015 – increased from just 176 in 2010. Mr Smith’s seat represents an even greater challenge.

He secured a majority of 15,000 in Oxford East in 2015, with 25,356 votes, whereas the Lib Dems won 5,453 votes and came fourth.

But Craig Simmons, leader of the Oxford Green Party, said his party and others would seek to capitalise on ‘anger’ about Brexit.

He added: “A lot of people in East Oxford were not happy about Andrew Smith backing Article 50 and do not feel he represents them.

“There is a lot of anger still.”

The call for a general election was supported by Conservatives in Oxfordshire, including Witney MP Robert Courts, Banbury MP Victoria Prentis and Henley MP John Howell. Ed Vaizey, the Tory MP for Wantage, did not respond to requests for comment.

The Government said MPs would vote on the poll today. For Witney voters, it would be the second time they elect an MP in eight months after a by-election in October.