A pro-democracy organisation recently took to the streets to convince the public that they have a chance to make political history.

At the weekend, the Oxfordshire branch of Compass took to Sheep Street in Bicester, where four key seats are up for election on Cherwell District Council in the upcoming May elections.

The group was promoting “well-targeted tactical local voting for progressive parties which can together use their majority public support to take control from existing Conservative councils elected on a minority of the popular vote.”

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Only four seats would need to change hands on May 4th for a change of control in Cherwell, which is now the only Conservative-controlled district council in the county.

A spokesperson for Compass said: “At least two of these gains could be in Bicester, and Compass has identified seats where tactical votes can help seal a win for the best-placed progressive candidate.

“Both of these candidates came to the Compass stall outside Carthage Butchers on Saturday to meet the town’s voters and make the case.

“Well-known Bicester Liberal Democrat, solicitor and advocate Nick Cotter, is standing in Bicester South.

“Tom Beckett, a climate change and renewable technology specialist, is standing for the Greens in Bicester East.

“As part of an existing cross-party alliance and to maximise progressive voter leverage, each candidate’s party is standing down in the other’s ward.

“Recent polls and trends suggest both seats are winnable.”

Campaigns officer at Compass Lena Swedlow said: “Our team had good conversations with concerned local shoppers who were interested in hearing about Cherwell’s democratic deficit and the big opportunity for Bicester voters to change the system on May 4th.”

In response, a spokesperson for Cherwell Conservatives said: “Cherwell Conservatives are proud of their track record of delivery in Bicester.

“We have announced plans for a new learner pool at Bicester Leisure Centre, provided 3,500 households with food vouchers this winter, secured a £4.25 million grant to improve the Market Square and worked to find a viable solution to the London Road crossing, as well as many other positive things.

“By contrast, the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green alliance now running Oxfordshire County Council has let Bicester down.

“Local roads are riddled with potholes, infrastructure funding earmarked for Bicester has been reallocated and bus services have been withdrawn.

“In recent weeks, we have had hundreds of conversations with residents who are clear of their choice at these elections and want their district and town council services to be in the hands of councillors who care about residents’ priorities and not councillors’ own vanity projects.

“We encourage anyone who thinks the same to vote conservative on May 4th.”

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1