Local elections 2026: Oxford family matters in the polls

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Twenty-two-year-old Emily Lygo was the Labour challenger and came in second behind the incumbent Lib Dem group leader, Councillor Dr Christopher Smowton, who held his seat.

Both have members of their near and dear sitting in the city chamber.

Dr Smowton’s wife, Anna Railton, is a Labour city councillor, as is Miss Lygo’s father, Mark Lygo, who also sits on the county council.

Mr Lygo described his pride and joy in his daughter as she took on the candidate role.

Emily and Mark Lygo (Image: Isabella Harris/NQ)

He said: “I have enjoyed it having my daughter at my side for many years, and now I am at her side, giving her the support that she needs.”

Miss Lygo stated that the campaign trail as a candidate had been an “amazing experience” after canvassing for her father previously.

She said she had been inspired seeing her dad in politics, saying that the pair could be a “dream team” in the council chamber together.

Married pair, Dr Snowton and Ms Railton may not have been canvassing together in the same way.

Ms Railton’s seat was not being contested this year.

She had been the Labour deputy leader of the council and expressed a hope that her party would retain control.

Her husband, Dr Snowton, has been hoping for a change in administration.

Ms Railton explained their secret to a happy marriage in politics.

She said: “We have always had a bit of a non-aggression pact, we keep off each other’s turf, that’s basically how we do it. ”

They are both set to continue at the council after Dr Snowton’s win.

One couple who will no longer be working together at the council is Labour group leader Susan Brown and her partner Alex Hollingsworth, who lost his Carfax and Jericho seat.

Mr Hollingsworth had been the Labour sitting candidate and is a former leader of the city council.

Cllr Susan Brown (Image: Isabella Harris/NQ)

Ms Brown said: “I’m particularly sorry to have lost a really long-standing councillor, Alex Hollingsworth, who is also my partner.

“He’s been a councillor for a very long time.

“And, you know, we’re very, very sorry to see him go.”

Not to just keep it in the family, Ms Brown congratulated all candidates who stood in the elections.

She stated: “There’s also been a lot of really hard work from a lot of people.

“I want to especially pay tribute to all of those candidates who stood today, especially for all parties, but obviously particularly for my own.

“It is a lot of work.”

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Man arrested for ‘immigration offences’ in Oxfordshire

Published

48 minutes ago

May 12, 2026

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Thames Valley Police said in a major update on Tuesday, May 12 that the force’s Abingdon neighbourhood team had not only arrested a man for immigration offences, but seized an uninsured scooted and recalled a prolific offender to prison.

A spokesperson said: “PC Hackett and Sgt Birch also arrested a male for immigration offences and seized an uninsured e-scooter under Section 165 after coming across a boy riding it.”

READ MORE: Police attend ‘dangerous’ underage binge drinking at beauty spot

They added: “In Abingdon, PC Osborne worked closely with probation services to recall a prolific offender to prison.

“After being spotted in the area, officers acted swiftly and he has now been returned to custody.”

In addition the team attended the Marcham Big Weekend and addressed reports of damage and anti-social behaviour at the multi-use games area.

READ MORE: Warning amid reports of ‘significant rise’ in Oxfordshire car theft

They spokesperson said: “They have also been carrying out patrols in Sutton Courtenay, Boars Hill, Wootton, and Drayton, addressing reports of anti-social driving and youth-related damage at the MUGA.”

The officers at the Abingdon Neighbourhood Police team added that they would be at the new Marks & Spencer store in Fairacres, meeting members of the public, on Friday, May 15 at noon.

The spokesperson said: “We look forward to seeing you there.”

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Crime & Safety

Man arrested at Oxford Tesco for racial abuse and assault

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Thames Valley Police has said that the man in his 30s was taken into custody after an incident at a Tesco store in Botley.

In an update on Tuesday, May 12, the force revealed that they were called after reports of a smashed window as well as shoplifting and racially abusive behaviour.

READ MORE: Oxford University graduate under pressure to resign from top job

The man has since been charged and bailed to appear at court.

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “PC Murphy and PC Osborne have arrested a man in his 30s following shoplifting, assault, and racially abusive behaviour towards staff at Tesco in Botley.

“Officers responded to reports of disorder, including a smashed window, quickly located the suspect, and made an arrest.

“He has since been charged and bailed to appear at court, with the case also being reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service.”

Police also revealed that they had been patrolling Didcot at night and have seized an uninsured e-scooter.

READ MORE: Police attend ‘dangerous’ underage binge drinking at beauty spot

“During Night Time Economy patrols in Didcot,” the Thames Valley Police spokesperson said, “PC Murphy seized an uninsured e-scooter, helping to keep our pavements safer”.

The officers at the Abingdon Neighbourhood Police team added that they would be at the new Marks & Spencer store in Fairacres meeting members of the public on Friday May 15 at midday.

The spokesperson said: “We look forward to seeing you there.”

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Crime & Safety

Hollywood star has ‘turned down’ Celebrity Traitors

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

The 45-year-old grew up in Oxfordshire after moving from London with his parents, including his father, Dr James Hiddleston, who often liaised with Oxford University.

Living in a village just outside the city, Mr Hiddleston studied at The Dragon School, where Harry Potter actress Emma Watson attended some years later.

READ MORE: New head chef appointed at award-winning restaurant

Best known for playing Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the role has seen him star in both the Thor and Avengers film franchises, as well as a Disney+ series based on Loki.

According to The Sun, the actor was “gutted” to miss out on the fun as a huge fan of the show which returns this autumn with Claudia Winkleman back at the helm.

It is understood he had to drop out of filming at the last minute due to an unavoidable scheduling clash.

Tom Hiddleston (Image: Ian West/PA)

Earlier this year, he called Traitors “maybe the best television I’ve seen” and said he loved the celebrity version which was viewed by more than 15 million people last year and won by comedian and presenter, Alan Carr.

“I think the format is just the most ingenious thing, isn’t it? It’s completely compulsive,” Mr Hiddleston said during a Radio 2 appearance.

Asked if he would want to be a faithful or a traitor, he said: “I don’t know, I think it would be really interesting to be a faithful, because then you have to, you could play detectives, right?”

Celebrity Traitors series 2 full line-up

These celebrities will be taking part in the new series of Celebrity Traitors, which is expected to be screened on BBC One and iPlayer in the autumn.

Amol Rajan – Journalist and Broadcaster

Bella Ramsey – Actor

James Acaster – Comedian and Podcaster

James Blunt – Singer/Songwriter

Jerry Hall – Model and Actress

Joanne McNally – Comedian

Joe Lycett – Comedian

Julie Hesmondhalgh – Actor

King Kenny – Content Creator

Leigh-Anne Pinnock – Singer/Songwriter