LIBERAL Democrats in Oxford say they are confident they will weather any backlash after the parliamentary party joined forces with the Conservatives and made David Cameron PM.

The Greens are actively targeting Lib Dem supporters left cold by the deal with the Tories.

But the leader of the party on Oxford City Council, Stephen Brown, says he hopes a successful Lib Dem-Conservative Government will win favour.

Mr Brown said the coalition had left him in an unforeseen situation.

He said: “You dream about many things as a politician, but I never dreamt I would be leader of the opposition on the city council and having to justify the actions of my own Government.

“It is a bizarre twist of fate.”

The defeat of the former Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris in Oxford West and Abingdon leaves Mr Brown and his city council colleagues as the face of the party in the city.

And Mr Brown said he understood that many party supporters would be questioning the decision to form a coalition with the Conservatives at a national level.

He said: “Many Liberal Democrats would have preferred a coalition with Labour, that is no secret.”

Asked about a backlash in support locally, he added: “That is a possibility, but I have confidence in the coalition.

“I am very excited with what the coalition is doing and I was surprised and impressed by the coalition agreement.”

Mr Brown added that it was often hard to predict political trends in Oxford.

He said: “Oxford is a fascinating city and has a very diverse and intelligent electorate and it often goes against the mainstream.

“I cannot believe there were many Labour MPs who increased their majority across the country, but Andrew Smith did.”

The Liberal Democrats increased their number of seats at the Town Hall at the elections earlier this month, despite Labour gaining an overall majority.

Mr Brown said: “We know what the future strategy is.

“It is to gain seats from the Greens and Labour and only if we achieve both of those objectives can we aspire to an overall majority.”

New Green leader on the city council, David Williams, says his party will target disillusioned Lib Dems in the party’s north Oxford stronghold.

But Mr Brown said: “Our support in North Oxford continues to be strong.”