In Caldecott ward there were three parties fully involved… yellow (Liberal), red (Labour) and blue (Conservative). Labour put all their eggs in one basket as councillors and activists from Oxford, and activists from around the Vale were seen around Caldecott trying to get a unique Labour win.
The number of leaflets, and canvassing from the yellows, reds, and blues had been too much for some people, who were not used to such full on campaigning, or so many high profile visiors. There was Harriet Harman (Labour Deputy Leader), Andrew Smith MP, John Tanner and others for Labour, and Nicola Blackwood MP and Keith Mitchell CBE, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, for the conservatives. Keith Mitchell said in his April 11th tweet “Canvassing Caldecott ward tonight in Abingdon with a good team of Conservative supporters. No-one willing to admit to voting Liberal!”
Most people were excited and engaged by the Caldecott local election. I stood there as a Liberal and should know later today whether I shall continue representing the area, or whether it is time to try something else.
All the Abingdon wards had at least one Labour candidate, but Caldecott had two.
I think it is utterly wrong that party politics should enter into local elections at all. At this level one is voting for people, not parties.
I agree entirely Sarah, I have always voted that way on a local council/district basis
in the national elections the Local MP Who has helped my family in the past not which party they are a member of…[those who listen to my views and what I would like done in Abingdon. and more important what I DON’T agree with..}
Mr Patten helped my late parents get many benefits they were entitled to, when we moved to Abingdon from London (GLC and Oxford City councils worked together to build council houses).
The results are finally here: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ElectionResultsWard&NAME=Abingdon%20Caldecott
So odd seeing it using the South Oxfordshire template, is the rest of the site going that way
Yes, unless, of course, the new administration decides otherwise? I think they will have their hands full trying to make savings to pay for free short-term parking in Abingdon. Anyway, I don’t think they can do it until next year as this year’s budget is already decided. We shall see. Whether the whole population of the Vale are happy to subsidise this is another matter, but, now, I’m afraid, academic.
They could always introduce an emergency budget – that is what the chancellor did when the general election happened.
It all depends how committed they actually are to “free” parking.