Oxfordshire Lib Dem refuses to explain party ‘hokey-cokey’

When Ben Higgins stood down from his cabinet role at the council and became an independent, he failed to respond to requests for comment on his departure.

Now, questioned on whether he would provide clarity for the people who elected him and explain his decision, Mr Higgins has continued to refuse to comment.

He said: “It’s not something I’m willing to comment publicly on at the moment, I’m afraid.”

Mr Higgins added: “The only point I’ve really got to make is that, during my brief period as an independent, I was still actively working for my residents.

“I challenge anyone to have gone to more annual parish meetings than I did over the course of May and early June, and I’m delighted to be back in the group.”

His return was heralded by council leader Tim Bearder as “providing stability so that we can get on with the job”.

The situation was raised in full council on Tuesday, June 30, as it meant recently appointed scrutiny committees had to change again to ensure political balance.

Green Group leader Ian Middleton said: “This is the second time in as many months that we’ve had to re‑jig the council as a result of an internal issue within the Liberal Democrat group.

“Last time, we were unceremoniously banged back into this chamber on a change of leadership, for reasons that have not really been fully explained by the Lib Dems to date.

“As a result of the latest change in the leadership of the Lib Dem group, members of my group, who put a lot of effort into the new committees that we’ve been appointed to are now seeing all that work wasted.

“That’s frustrating.”

Mr Higgins’ departure was followed by that of Nick Cotter who became an independent after being “suspended” by the national party – he has not since rejoined.

There were also changes to the administration, including the replacement of the leader and transport boss.

Mr Middleton suggested the Lib Dems rebrand due to their “somewhat fluid membership” to avoid “any further hokey‑cokey in‑out, in‑out situations”.

(Image: Cherwell District Council)

Responding, deputy leader and resources boss Neil Fawcett (Lib Dem) said: “We are still struggling a little bit with having 35 of the 69 council seats in this chamber, which increases the chances, on average, that we may have movement in and out of our group.”

He thanked the councillors who had been affected by the changes, adding “I do appreciate that it must be very frustrating”.