Lib Dem alliance expected to continue in West Oxfordshire

Following yesterday’s local elections, the current arrangement of the Lib Dems linking up with Labour and the Greens is expected to continue.

There were 16 wards being contested – a total of 16 out of 49 seats – with the election count held at Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney.

READ MORE: Control of Oxford City Council hangs in the balance

Vote counting started at about 10am today and all the results were in shortly after 1pm.

Council leader Andy Graham said he hoped the current arrangement would continue, and all parties are now expected to discuss the leadership of the council, with an official announcement next week.

Mr Graham said: “We have no reason to believe that the current arrangement with Labour and the Greens will not continue.

“This is what our residents want – they have had enough of the noise and rhetoric of national politics and want local outcomes to be delivered.”

Mr Graham added that he hoped to continue as leader of the council, once this had been approved by the Lib Dem group and the authority.

Following Thursday’s election, there are now 20 Liberal Democrat councillors, 16 Conservative, eight Labour, four Green Party and one Reform UK.

Prior to the election, there were 21 Liberal Democrat councillors, 13 Conservatives, 10 Labour, four Green, and one Reform UK.

Tammy Abarno with fellow Conservatives (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Of the 16 seats up for election this time round – about a third of the council – seven were won by the Liberal Democrats, seven by the Conservatives, one by Reform UK, and one Green Party.

Mr Graham added: “We have improved services and voters want us to come up with creative solutions.

“Council offices were not being used at Wood Green and now the space is being used for businesses and there is a community cafe on site, so business and the community has been brought together.”

Mr Graham said he was pleased that a major project to upgrade Witney High Street, led by the county council, was getting under way.

The project will enhance the town centre with wider footpaths, better crossings and a more welcoming public space.

The scheme will upgrade the town’s High Street and Market Square to encourage visitors and improve access for walking, cycling and wheeling, while complementing the town’s historic character.

Work is expected to conclude by the end of the year.

Mr Graham added: “Now this scheme is being delivered we will finally see the improvements we want to see for pedestrians and businesses.”

Voter turnout was higher than last time – 45.9 per cent compared to 39.6 per cent at the district council election in 2024.

Tammy Abarno said she was delighted to win the Carterton South ward for the Conservatives.

Green Party group leader Rosie Pearson (Image: Andy Ffrench)

And Green Party group leader, Rosie Pearson, was re-elected for the Brize Norton and Shilton ward.

Duncan Enright, deputy leader of the council, and leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed for the Labour councillors who lost their seats.

“The Labour group wants to carry on doing its best for West Oxfordshire’s towns and villages,” he added.