Lib Dems advance in 2008 Oxford elections

8.43.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 3rd May 2008

The Liberal Democrats have gained seats in the 2008 local elections. The Leader of the city's two Tory councillors was ousted from his Carfax seat by veteran Liberal Democrat Stephen Brown. The Conservatives now have no councillors in Oxford and have not won an election in Oxford City for eight years. In neighbouring Holywell ward, Nathan Pyle took the ward for the Liberal Democrats from the Green party, who are now in decline in Oxford.

Achieving gains from Oxford's minor parties (the Conservatives and IWCA), the Labour party now have the most councillors in Oxford, condemning the city to more Labour mismanagement and waste. Labour councillors are committed to raising council tax above inflation, rather than sorting out the long-term problems at Oxford City Council. In parts of the city, Labour councillors hung onto their seats because Conservative and Green supporters wasted their votes by not helping the Liberal Democrats beat Labour. Only the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour across Oxford.