Oxfordshire politicians in heated exchange over elections

West Oxfordshire District Council deputy leader of the opposition Liam Walker has hit out at council leader Andy Graham after the latter criticised the Conservatives and urged the electorate not to "split the progressive vote".

The district council is run by the 'West Oxfordshire Alliance' made up of the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green groups after the Conservatives lost control following 2022 local elections.

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Conservative councillor for the Hailey Minster Lovell and Leafield ward, Mr Walker, said: "I’m not sure what planet the Lib Dem leader is on but you only have to knock on doors in West Oxfordshire to hear that support for this coalition of chaos is crumbling fast.

Liam Walker. (Image: West Oxfordshire District Council.)

"The coalition pretend to be getting on but we know in reality they don’t as Labour broke away from the coalition at the county council saying the Lib Dems are only interested in point scoring."

The comments come in response to Mr Graham's claims West Oxfordshire Conservatives "sit on their hands" and do nothing.

Mr Graham said: "You might think tactically in some areas, if we split the vote between common parties, the Tories will come back in.

"Make sure we don’t go back there because they sit on their hands, they spend nothing and do nothing.

"In West Oxfordshire, we were the sleeping giant under the Tories. We’ve woken up, and actually the giant is the sum of its parts.

"That means our community is in partnership with us and that’s what I advocate."

Mr Graham said the current coalition had "challenged" and "critically put each other on the spot".

Andy Graham. (Image: Other.)

But Mr Walker said: "Years in power and all they have to show for it is a newly refurbished council chamber, a shopping centre no one asked them to buy, and the council projected to go bust in years to come."

When approached, Green group leader Rosie Pearson agreed the LibDem, Green and Labour coalition was "working well as a team" with "shared values but a diversity of views".

Mr Graham said: "Liam walker seems deliberately on another planet with his remarks neither accurate or true. 

"The new community space now is available for community use for up to 90 per cent of the time and will bring in an income unlike under the conservatives administration when the council chamber was not available at all.

Council offices. (Image: Other.)

"No income at all and little or no maintenance.

"The refurbishment was needed and the reception and better facilities for the registrar and wedding ceremonies is all part of the improvements."

He added: "The MJ awards have nominated this district council for an award for inspirational partnership working bringing Thames water to account through regular meetings."

We have contacted Labour group leader Duncan Enright for comment.