“It’s all to play for in Oxford East” – that was the message from candidates looking to seize the city’s key marginal seat at the General Election.

In 2005, Labour’s Andrew Smith beat his closest rival Liberal Democrat Steve Goddard by just 963 votes.

But following the first face-to- face debate of the 2010 campaign on Sunday night, candidates from the other major parties insist it is not a two-horse race.

Last night, Conservative candidate Ed Argar said hustings were good for politics and democracy.

He said: “It is time for a change and only the Conservatives offer that in Oxford East. It is all to play for and it is a very tight race.”

Mr Argar added: “Thirty per cent of people are undecided according to some national statistics. I think a lot has changed since 2005 and that close result.”

But Liberal Democrat candidate, Steve Goddard said: “It is a critical election and it is a stark straight choice in Oxford East.

“Only two parties can win. You can stick with Labour who have let you down or the Lib Dems can have a chance for a new start in Oxford East.”

Mr Smith “The hustings meeting went very well, and I enjoyed it. It got the election in Oxford East off to a really good start. It’s great to see people getting involved with the democratic process.

“We had a wide range of questions, including climate change, assisted dying, nuclear weapons, the NHS, support for pensioners and whether we would live in the constituency if elected.”

Green Party candidate Sushila Dhall said her key message to voters was tackling inequality.

She added: “Unless we take steps to address it we will always have unrest and the other problems that arise from that.”

“Our answer to the issue would be to give everyone a Citizens Income, something everyone would receive along the lines of child support.”

Julia Gasper, UK Independence Party candidate, said: “My central message is we must take back control of this country. People were talking about the NHS, pensions and ID cards. In all these cases we cannot implement the solutions we want because the EU is in control.”

The first Oxford East hustings of the campaign was held at the Church of the Holy Family, in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys.

Roger Crawford, of the Equal Parenting Alliance, and David O’Sullivan, of the Socialist Equality Party, are also standing in Oxford East.

The next hustings will be held at the East Oxford Community Centre, Princes Street, tomorrow, starting at 7pm.

cburatta@oxfordmail.co.uk

Residents can question five candidates standing for the Banbury seat at a meeting on Sunday. The event, organised by faith groups, takes place at the town hall, Bridge Street, from 7.30pm