Oxfordshire carved up to serve Labour interests, says Liberal Democrat MPs

Following the decision announced by Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth on the future of Oxfordshire Unitary councils, MPs Calum Miller, Layla Moran, Freddie van Mierlo, Olly Glover and Charlie Maynard said: 

“We are appalled by this decision. This carve-up puts the interests of the Oxford Labour Party ahead of the people of Oxfordshire and will harm public services, increase costs and break up existing communities. Communities including Kidlington and Wheatley, along with rural villages like Appleton, Sunningwell and Besselsleigh risk having their voices drowned out in an enlarged Oxford council. Villages and rural areas will see resources diverted to the city rather than addressing their needs.

“The Government’s own decision acknowledged greater fragmentation of services and potentially slower recovery of costs. Months of delay and uncertainty have made it harder for existing councils to plan their budgets and protect services.

“We again urge the Government to reverse its damaging cuts to funding for our councils. These risk crippling the new authorities before they even begin, undermining the very services ministers claim this reorganisation will improve.

“Whatever the boundaries, Liberal Democrats will stand up for our communities and campaign to win control of the new councils and win the new mayoralty. We will set out plans to keep investing in our communities and repairing the damage left by years of Conservative cuts.”