THE shadow chancellor spoke in Oxford to rally votes for Andrew Smith's seat.

John McDonnell visited Blackbird Leys this afternoon alongside outgoing Oxford East MP Mr Smith, who announced earlier this week he is standing down.

The senior Labour member seemed confident the seat would not be snapped up by another party in the absence of his popular colleague, whose name will disappear from the ballot paper for the first time since he was voted in in 1987.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said: "Andrew will be here campaigning alongside us and I am sure in the future he will play an important role in the area. He is leaving behind a legacy of extremely strong party loyalty."

Asked if voters in Oxford may sway towards a party that promotes a different approach to Brexit, after most of the city voted to remain in the EU, he said: "I campaigned hard for remain but you have to respect the result. We've set out criteria and we largely want a single market to protect the economy and jobs."

The politician said he felt this was particularly relevant to Oxford after he visited Cowley's BMW plant, where thousands of workers went on strike last week to protest pension plans. 

Mr McDonnell spoke outside the estate's shops in front of dozens of Labour supporters and local party members, including Blackbird Leys city councillor Rae Humberstone, covering issues including education, workers' rights and pensions for young people. 

Groups then went canvassing door-to-door. 

Labour has not yet revealed who will be replacing Mr Smith as the Labour candidate for Oxford East, ahead of the General Election on June 8.

The Conservative party today announced it had officially selected Victoria Prentis to contest her current Banbury seat.