Crime & Safety

Reform UK win ZERO seats in Oxford Local Elections 2026

Published

3 days ago

May 9, 2026

info@oxinfo.co.uk

Party leader Nigel Farage suggested his side is on course for a general election victory after taking council seats from Labour in early local election results.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party was haemorrhaging seats as local authorities began declaring overnight, in a set of contests that could prove decisive for his premiership.

Reform’s gains exceeded 180 seats when results were in from 26 of the 136 councils in the early hours of Friday, while Labour lost more than 130, including in its traditional northern heartlands.

FOLLOW LIVE: Local Elections 2026 results LIVE: Updates in Oxford

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. (Image: Ben Birchall / PA)

A jubilant Mr Farage heralded a “historic change in British politics,” telling reporters “there is no more left-right” as his outfit was “scoring stunning percentages in traditional old Labour areas”.

The Reform leader compared the substantial gains to clearing Becher’s Brook, a famously difficult jump in the Grand National.

“If we cleared Becher’s Brook and landed well, we go on to win the Grand National.

“What is very clear to me is that our voters will stick with us now all the way through.”

READ MORE: Full results of Oxford Local Elections 2026 as Greens gain seats

Nigel Farage. (Image: -)

However, the party failed to take any seats at the Oxford City Council elections after all 24 wards were split between Labour, the Greens, the Liberal Democrats and one Independent.

Reform stood a candidate in all but one of the areas, with no name put forward for the ward of Holywell.

Despite amassing some large numbers of votes in certain hotly contested patches, the relatively new political party came up short when it mattered.

In total, Reform achieved 4,038 votes across the 23 wards it contested.

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Crime & Safety

Man arrested at Oxford Tesco for racial abuse and assault

Published

9 minutes 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

1 hour 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