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Oxford West & Abingdon Constituency

Result: Conservative gain

Nicola Blackwood (Con) 23,906

Evan Harris (Lib Dem) 23,730

Chris Goodall (Green) 1,184

Richard Stevens (Lab) 5,999

Paul Williams (UKIP) 1,518

Keith Mann (Animal Protection) 143

Turnout: 70.2 per cent

2005 majority: 7,683

2005 turnout: 64.2%

MANY people will have an eye focused on the seat of Oxford West and Abingdon when the votes are being counted.

Liberal Democrat Dr Evan Harris, who holds the seat, has admitted it is “marginal” and the Tories have marked it on their target list.

The former NHS doctor does not believe the recent surge in Lib Dem support will have much of an effect in his constituency and claims recent electoral boundary changes could hurt him.

He said: “I suspect the increase in our support is among people who never considered voting Liberal Democrat before, and there are already a lot of Liberal Democrats in Abingdon, so I think there will be less of a swing.

“I haven’t changed my view since before the television debates that the election is going to be very tight here and it’s going to be a close race between us and the Conservatives.”

Dr Harris was elected MP in 1997 from the Tories and held the seat in 2005 with a majority of 7,683.

Recent changes to the electoral boundaries have left the constituency losing wards and part of wards in central Oxford, Oxford East, Henley, Wantage, and possibly Dr Harris voters.

One shock to come from this election has been the decision by animal rights activist Keith Mann to throw his hat into the ring.

Mr Mann represents The Animal Protection Party, which is standing in four constituencies where it disagrees with the animal testing taking place.

Dr Harris, an advocate of animal testing, has sought police safety advice against Mr Mann, who labelled him ‘Dr Death’ on his website.

Somewhat less inconspicuous is the Tory hopeful Nicola Blackwood.

Labelled “top Tory totty” by Tatler magazine and tipped as a future member of a Conservative cabinet, the former operatic singer is Dr Harris’s main threat.

A visit by Conservative leader David Cameron earlier this year to Abingdon highlighted how important the Tories consider the seat.

Abingdon voters have proved to be a patient bunch in this election after being sent polling cards bearing the wrong poll station address.

Even the leader of the district council was told to vote in Botley, eight miles away from his Abingdon home.

They have also had to put up with the toing and froing regarding when the count will take place.

Returning officer David Buckle moved the count to Friday morning, fearing his tired employees might make mistakes if they stayed up on Thursday night.

However, threatened with action from the Electoral Commision, he has moved it back to Thursday night.

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