The Liberal Democrat leader of West Oxfordshire District Council has warned against splitting the progressive vote and handing victory to the Conservatives in the upcoming local elections.
After the 2022 local elections, the Conservatives lost control of West Oxfordshire District Council.
However, no single party gained an overall majority, so the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green groups agreed to form an administration known locally as the ‘West Oxfordshire Alliance’. This included an Executive made up of Lib Dem, Labour and Green councillors.
The grouping was re-elected with an increased majority in 2023. A third of the council is up for election on 2 May.
Ahead of the local elections next month, Cllr Andy Graham, the Liberal Democrat leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, spoke to cross-party campaigns group Compass about his experience working as part of a coalition and his hopes for the future.
The interview forms part of Compass’ local leader’s spotlight series, which aims to highlight exceptional examples of progressive cross-party working in local government ahead of this year’s local elections. Listen to the whole conversation here.
Cllr Graham said the council ‘probably wouldn’t have achieved as much’ without a coalition and working with other parties had helped to promote ‘layered thinking’ and a more pragmatic approach to politics.
He said:
“We have challenged and critically put each other on the spot. But it’s also about getting real results. The advantages of an alliance is that you can have a good debate, but you come up with the best results and you come by a general consensus.
“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.”
He also urged against splitting the progressive vote and letting the Conservatives back in:
“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.”
Looking ahead to the general election, expected later this year, Cllr Graham called for an end to Conservative rule at the national level, adding, ‘it is time now for change. Even Tories are saying our time is up.’
When asked about tactical voting at the general election, he said voters should look past the partisan demands of party HQs and ‘use their intelligence to discern what they feel is best.’
He said:
“I know all parties will say ‘vote for us anyway’, but I kind of think voters are a bit more discerning than that. Last time, I think Labour voters supported the Liberal Democrat candidate in Witney and that is acknowledged and gratefully received.
“Party HQs will probably all say ‘just vote for the party’ and there’s no deals and they don’t really advocate tactical voting. I would say leave the voters to use their intelligence to discern what they feel is best.”
For more information please contact Harry Gold, media and press officer at Compass.
Ed: West England Bylines does not support any particular political party. We do however give space to those who promote progressive and sustainable goals.
We want to hear your views. Please send any comments to editor@westenglandbylines.co.uk
