POLITICAL big guns will be wheeled into Oxford East in the battle for the city’s key marginal seat.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats – split by less than 1,000 votes in 2005 – will call on high-profile party figures over the next month to help boost their chances of victory.

Labour MP Andrew Smith held on by the skin of his teeth in 2005 but saw his 10,000 majority cut to just 963 by Liberal Democrat challenger Steve Goddard.

The marginal seat is a key target in the Liberal Democrats’ campaign, with party leader Nick Clegg and former leader Charles Kennedy likely visitors to the city in their bid for victory on May 6.

Mr Smith said high-profile Labour figures would also make an appearance.

The Oxford Mail asked all confirmed candidates in Oxford East to outline their three key issues in the election fight.

Dr Goddard said economy, education and health were at the heart of his campaign.

He said: “We have great ideas on tax and related issues and Labour has not addressed these issues.”

He also said university tuition fees were a big issue for the city.

“We would still abolish tuition fees but over six years because of the economic situation.”

On health, Dr Goddard said: “The NHS in Oxfordshire is facing cuts. Visiting the John Radcliffe Hospital, its problem is that money has been put in but it has not gone as much as it should have done to frontline services.”

Mr Smith outlined the economy, public services and the environment as key campaign areas.

He added: “We must secure and protect Britain’s economic recovery, with all that means for jobs in Oxford, including guarantees of jobs or proper training for young people. It is vital to keep up investment in hospitals, schools, childcare, pensions and policing.

“The Tories and the Lib Dems are arguing for savage cuts in public spending which would be especially damaging in Oxford.”

He said high-profile Labour figures would be visiting to boost his campaign, but he added: “I am keen to be out there making the case myself.”

Conservative Party candidate Ed Argar also outlined the economy, protecting public services and the environment as key campaign areas.

He said: “We need to balance the need to protect the environment with the challenge around housing, not just more housing but affordable housing of the right size.

“We want to give local people greater power over decisions in their area.”

Julia Gasper will stand for the UK Independence Party with restoring education standards and stopping the European Union damaging the NHS as her key issues.

Roger Crawford, who is standing for the Equal Parenting Alliance, said he would be campaigning on equal rights for both parents to see their children in cases of divorce or separation and a more open family court system.

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact Green Party candidate Sushila Dhall.

Oxford East candidates will debate the issues at an election hustings organised by campaign group Power2010 at East Oxford Community Centre on Wednesday at 7pm.