The Conservative Group at West Oxfordshire District Council has confirmed its full support for District Council elections going ahead as planned in May 2026, following a letter from Government offering councils the option to postpone elections pending a national review of local government structures.
In a joint letter Cllr Michele Mead and Cllr Liam Walker, Leader and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, set out a clear and principled opposition to any delay, stressing the importance of democracy and local accountability.
The Government correspondence suggested that scheduled elections could be postponed while a wider review of local government is undertaken. However, Conservative councillors argue that the possibility of future structural change should not be used as a reason to deny residents their democratic right to vote.
“Elections are fundamental to local democracy,” the letter states. “Residents expect and deserve the opportunity to elect their representatives and to hold them to account at the ballot box.”
The Conservative Group acknowledged that reviews of local government can play a role in improving governance, but warned that postponing elections risks undermining public trust and engagement at a time when confidence in democratic institutions must be strengthened.
They also highlighted that elected councillors, with a clear democratic mandate, are best placed to represent local communities during any period of reform or uncertainty.
“Any review of local government should proceed alongside democratic accountability, not instead of it,” the councillors said.
The letter urges the Council’s leadership to make clear its opposition to delaying the May 2026 elections and to reaffirm West Oxfordshire District Council’s commitment to democratic principles.
Conservative councillors say they will continue to stand up for residents’ right to have their voices heard and to choose who represents them locally—without delay.
