CAMPAIGN groups who want to Britain to keep close ties with the European Union (EU) are trying to topple Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood.

In a list of 'key target seats', they called on people to vote tactically against the Conservative candidate and 'Brexit supporter'.

Ms Blackwood was one of 498 MPs who overwhelmingly voted to trigger the formal exit process from the EU in February.

It followed a referendum last June that saw the British people reject membership of the bloc by 52 per cent.

In Oxford, the result was 70 per cent in favour of remaining part of it, with Ms Blackwood campaigning for a remain vote.

The European Movement, Britain for Europe and Open Britain, a coalition of MPs from various parties who campaigned against Brexit, say government suggestions to reduce immigration, leave the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and quit the European Single Market and customs union, amount to a so-called 'hard Brexit'. 

They have urged local people in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, where Ms Blackwood's majority was 9,582 votes in 2015, to support Liberal Democrat candidate Layla Moran in protest.

Ms Moran said: "The hard Brexit we are heading for poses a huge threat to people’s jobs in Oxford and Abingdon, from local businesses to our world-leading universities.

“People here voted overwhelmingly to remain, they deserve an MP who will stand up for what they believe in.

“If you want Britain to remain in the EU, we are the only party offering a way to do that; through a referendum on the terms of the final Brexit deal with remain as an option.”

Ms Blackwood said: "It's so disappointing to see groups that are supposed to be all-party so obviously hijacked for partisan reasons, not only did I vote remain and stand up for the best deal for UK science during and after the referendum as chairman of the Science & Technology Committee, starting not one but two inquiries into the subject, but since joining the Government have continued that work as Lifesciences Minister.

"This fake 'Brexiteer' list is intended to smear and divide.

"Now is the time for an experienced MP who can influence Government as we go into the crucial period of Brexit negotiations and ensure we get the best possible deal for Oxford West and Abingdon on key issues like jobs, access to skills, and funding our world-leading universities."