Oxford control hangs in the balance after local elections

With ballot boxes firmly back in storage, “conversations” continue to decide how the authority will be run, with no party winning a working majority.

Ballot boxes being put away at the count (Image: Isabella Harris/ NQ)

Labour, which previously ran a minority administration with 21 seats, remains the council’s largest party with 20 seats after the May 7 election.

At the count, Cllr Susan Brown, the de facto council leader who remains leader of the Labour group, said: “I think we’ll want to digest the results of the elections.

“We were very proud in Oxford Labour to stand on our record.

“We put that in front of the people of Oxford, and we have ended the night winning more seats than any other party.”

Cllr Susan Brown (Image: Isabella Harris/NQ)

Discussions which could end with Labour continuing in a minority administration or in a coalition are ongoing, while the impact of electoral losses for the party across the country plays out on the national stage.

Labour MP Anneliese Dodds said: “The Labour Party will have to reflect – and act – to show we’ve heard the message the public conveyed to us on 7th May.”

The Green Party received the highest percentage of votes at the Oxford elections, which saw half of the authority’s seats up for grabs.

The Greens came away with 13 seats, having gained four, its highest number ever on the council.

Greens at the Oxford city count (Image: Isabella Harris/ NQ)

Chris Jarvis, deputy leader of the Green Group on Oxford City Council, said: “Following the outcome of the local elections, the Green Group is continuing to discuss internally and with other parties on the council how best to deliver a fairer, greener Oxford.

“These conversations are ongoing, with no conclusions having yet been reached.

“In these conversations, the Green Party is working to ensure that the voices of the people who put their faith in us are heard loud and clear in the council.”

The Lib Dems held their seats, but made no gains at the election and had been in talks with the Greens about working together to run the council.

Lib Dems at the Oxford city count (Image: Isabella Harris/ NQ)

The two parties have a combined total of 22 seats, more than the Labour group, but short of a majority.

Following talks, the Lib Dems said the Green group “does not feel that the numerical advantage over Labour is sufficient”.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Chris Smowton said: “I think it’s a great shame we won’t be going forward with an administration this year.

“However, this time next year we expect to be fighting elections on new boundaries due to council reorganisation, and this is likely to markedly change the electoral arithmetic.

“Therefore, while we would like to be getting on with the business of administration this year, we look forward to bringing a very strong challenge in 12 months’ time.

“We will continue campaigning to deliver a fairer, safer, cleaner Oxford.”

The Greens also ruled out working with the Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA), over differing opinions on issues such as transport.

IOA leader, Cllr David Henwood, said: “The Greens have made it clear that they will not work with the IOA.

“However, our door remains open, as we all have a duty to deliver the services required by law to the people of Oxford.”

He added that he had also offered support to the Labour group, but had not received any response.

IOA at the Oxford city count (Image: Isabella Harris/ NQ)

The timetable for local government reorganisation currently suggests that, following a decision on whether Oxfordshire will have one, two or three authorities in July this year, “shadow authority” elections will be held in 2027 ahead of the new set-up being put in place by April 2028.

This means whoever takes control of the council may have less than a year in charge.

Negotiations continue.