Local elections 2026: Oxford family matters in the polls

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.”