Oxfordshire Lib Dems lose another councillor amid ‘serious concerns’

Mike Pighills has left the Lib Dems on the Vale of White Horse District Council and is sitting as an independent.

Mr Pighills has been a councillor for the Abingdon Peachcroft ward since 2019 and was not serving as a cabinet member upon leaving the Lib Dems.

Council and Lib Dem leader Bethia Thomas referenced disagreements around her decision-making for allocating councillors to committees.

Mike Pighills (Image: VOWH)

She told a recent meeting that some people have “acted upon” some “serious” concerns around appointments.

Ms Thomas said: “While many of my group agree with my proposal, some have concerns, some have serious concerns and have acted upon those concerns.”

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She added: “I know some of my colleagues have doubts that I am doing the right thing.

“I have my doubts that I am doing the right thing, but I’m putting trust in others and I am trying to come to a compromised decision.”

Ms Bethia told this newspaper after the meeting: “Mike has been a valued member of the group and has made many welcome contributions over the last seven years.

“In all big groups, members’ views differ sometimes. Mike did not support part of the decision about which councillors should sit on which committee on this occasion.

“A clear majority of the council supported the approach.

“The council has a lot of members willing to give up their time to sit on these important committees and there are now representatives from all of the opposition groups, as well as the newly elected member, Conservative Cllr Lee Evans, who was appointed to the Joint Staff Committee.”

“I would like to thank Mike for his service in the past and for his ongoing work as a ward councillor.”

Mr Pighills’ decision to become independent does not change the Liberal Democrats’ huge majority on the Vale.

But if he was to team up with the party Independent Voice for Vale, they would become joint opposition with the Green group (with three councillors).

Mr Pighills and the Liberal Democrats have been approached for comment, but no response was given before going to press.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats lose their majority on Oxfordshire County Council when two of the groups’ councillors became independent.

Nick Cotter, councillor for Bicester South, is now listed as a non-grouped independent having been elected as a Lib Dem last year.

He had been suspended by the national party, although a local Lib Dem spokesman suggested no bad blood between the pair.

Councillor Bethia Thomas, leader of Vale of White Horse District Council (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council)

And Ben Higgins, who was cabinet member for future economy and innovation on the county council, also stepped down earlier this month.

This means the total number of Lib Dems is 34, with the number for a majority being 35.

Elsewhere on the county cabinet, controversial transport boss Andrew Gant stepped down from his role having served the role for four years.

Mr Gant had overseen the introduction of the Oxford congestion charge, LTNs and 20mph areas.

And Liz Leffman also stepped down as leader of the county council and Lib Dem group. The 77-year-old will remain on the cabinet before the next election, which she will not stand in.

The Lib Dems won its first majority in the county council election last year. Before that, they had a coalition with the Green Party.