Liberal Democrats remain strongest in North Oxfordshire

Voters across Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington went to the polls on Thursday, May 7, with 16 of the council’s 48 seats up for election and two more contested in by-elections in Banbury Calthorpe as well as Easington and Bicester West.

Local elections 2026: Cherwell District Council results (Image: Newsquest)

Before the vote, the council was led by Liberal Democrat group leader David Hingley, whose party held 17 seats in a no overall control set-up.

Following Friday’s count, the Liberal Democrats gained four seats and are now well placed to continue running the council as party leaders begin talks over whether to form a minority administration, strike an agreement with others or consider a coalition.

David Hingley, leader of the Liberal Democrats who maintained his seat in the Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote ward (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Hingley, who represents and lives in the Adderbury, Bloxham and Bodicote ward, said: “I’m really pleased to have been elected for a second time and I’m really thrilled to carry on representing my neighbours.”

He believes he was re-elected for being a “community champion”.

Mr Hingley said: “We really like to get stuck into our communities and I think that reflects in the seats we have gained.”

The Reform UK Party celebrating their six-seat gain on Cherwell District Council (Image: Newsquest)

Reform UK gained its first six seats on the council.

Paul Jeffreys, an engineer and former soldier, received 950 votes and gained in Banbury Hardwick over Andrew Crichton of the Labour party.

Paul Jeffreys who gained a Reform UK seat in Banbury Hardwick over the former Labour Andrew Crichton (Image: Newsquest)

He said electorates want to see change, and added: “Labour has been in since 2022 and not a lot has happened so Reform is going to stand and make a difference.

“I can see what needs to be fixed but I can’t understand why it hasn’t been. It’s not down to money, it’s down to time and resources.”

Green Party celebrate no losses on Cherwell District Council at the 2026 local elections (Image: Newsquest)

The Greens maintained their four-seat hold on the council.

Fiona Mawson, who maintained her seat in Kidlington East and gained more votes, said: “I’m really proud to be standing again. It’s a brilliant place to live and we have a great community spirit.”

On the other side of the spectrum, the Conservatives lost six of their previous 12 seats.

Eddie Reeves, leader of the opposition, who held his conservative seat in Deddington (Image: Newsquest)

Rebecca Biegel, re-elected in Banbury, Grimsbury and Hightown for Labour (Image: Newsquest)

Eddie Reeves, leader of the opposition who was re-elected in Deddington, said it was a “narrow fought campaign with a narrow win” against the Liberal Democrats with a lead of 121 seats.

While the Independents now only have one seat on the council, Labour lost two of its previous 10 seats.

Rebecca Biegel, who maintained her Labour seat in Banbury, Grimsbury and Hightown, believes her previous experience will as a serving councillor will hold her in good stead.