BOOKIES in Oxford have the Liberal Democrats as odds-on favourites to take the key marginal seat of Oxford East.

But by far and away the bookmakers ‘dead cert’ is David Cameron to retain Witney – where a £750 bet will net you just £1 in return.

Odds on Liberal Democrat Steve Goddard becoming MP for Oxford East at his third time of asking currently stand at 2/5 after being slashed following the party’s national surge in popularity.

Punters can get odds of 2/1 on incumbent MP Andrew Smith and 33/1 on either the Green or Conservative candidates.

Bookmaker Steve Jones, at River Racing in Park End Street, Oxford, said the Liberal Democrats had edged ahead in the betting in Oxford East.

He was offering 2/5 on the Liberals yesterday. He said: “Labour and Lib Dem were close, with both at evens when they opened up.

“Why it’s changed is basically the Lib Dems have been backed. Money is going on them.

“The prices shortened after the first TV debate.”

In Cowley Road in the heart of Oxford East, Betfred is offering similar odds.

Manager Kevin Beament said: “We’re offering 2/5 on the Liberal Democrats and 2/1 Labour.”

In Oxford West and Abingdon bookmakers have Liberal Democrat Evan Harris a 1/3 favourite to retain his seat.

Nationally, Labour’s odds of winning the election drifted after news broke of Gordon Brown’s gaffe in Rochdale on Wednesday.

Just hours after he described care worker Gillian Duffy as a ‘bigoted’, Wantage-based bookmaker Stan James lengthened Labour’s odds from 18/1 to 25/1. Odds on a hung Parliament also lengthened , with a Tory victory at 11/8.

Across Oxfordshire there are few prices to tempt the average punter.

You would have to bet £750 on David Cameron to retain his Witney seat, with Paddy Power, to make just £1 back.

And the odds are not much better on fellow Tories in Banbury and Henley, with both Tony Baldry and John Howell 1/500 favourites.

Jim Bennett, Stan James operations manager, expects more money to come in as May 6 approaches.

He said: “This year is more popular than normal because it’s not all said and done.”

cburatta@oxfordmail.co.uk