West Oxfordshire: leadership decided after local elections

Following Thursday’s vote, negotiations have been taking place to settle the question of leadership at the authority.

After the results were revealed, leader Andy Graham said he hoped that the West Oxfordshire Alliance would continue to run the council.

This is a “partnership administration” with Lib Dem, Green and Labour groups, which formed in 2022.

Now, confirming the arrangement will continue, Mr Graham said: “I am really pleased that the West Oxfordshire Alliance will be continuing to run the council, building on what has been delivered over the past four years. 

“One of our council priorities is ‘Working in together for West Oxfordshire’ and it is incredibly important to me that we maintain this partnership in leading the council.

“It will enable this council to continue to deliver its ambitious council plan along with great council services for our residents and businesses.”

The three parties have all signed their commitment to the alliance today, May 13.

This gives the administration a total of 32 councillors and a majority of 15.

In the previous iteration of the ruling alliance, the council’s executive was made up of councillors from each of the three parties involved.

This news comes ahead of the council’s annual general meeting on May 20.

Following the election, there are 20 Liberal Democrat councillors, 16 Conservative, eight Labour, four Greens and one from Reform UK.

This means that no single political party gained an overall majority.

Prior to the polls, there were 21 Liberal Democrat councillors, 13 Conservatives, 10 Labour, four Greens, and one from Reform UK.

Of the 16 seats up for election this time round – about a third of the council – seven were won by the Liberal Democrats, seven by the Conservatives, one by Reform UK, and one by the Green Party.

Voter turnout was higher than last time – 45.9 per cent compared to 39.6 per cent at the district council election in 2024.

At the count, Tammy Abarno said she was delighted to win the Carterton South ward for the Conservatives.

And Green Party group leader, Rosie Pearson, was re-elected for the Brize Norton and Shilton ward.

Duncan Enright, deputy leader of the council, and leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed for the Labour councillors who lost their seats.

“The Labour group wants to carry on doing its best for West Oxfordshire’s towns and villages,” he added.