Latest news with #vanMierlo
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Protect public from vehicle theft epidemic'
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called on the government to "protect" the public from the "epidemic" of vehicle thefts by ruling out policing budget cuts. Home Office statistics show that nearly 2,500 cases of vehicle thefts were reported in the Thames Valley last year, with fewer than 3% of those resulting in charges. Sir Ed made the comments whilst on a visit to a bicycle repair shop in Thame, Oxfordshire, alongside the Lib Dem MP for Henley and Thame Freddie van Mierlo. The BBC has contacted the Home Office for a response to Sir Ed's comments. Speaking at Thame Cycle, where he and van Mierlo went for a ride of their own, Sir Ed said: "Freddie and I may be the ones on our bikes today, but it is thieves who are taking people for a ride as they steal cars and get away with it." "It is a crime that is immensely damaging to victims, yet few criminals are ever held accountable for their actions. Our police need back up from this government." Van Mierlo added that there was a car theft "epidemic plaguing Oxfordshire". "Thames Valley Police do incredible work, but they're stretched after years of cuts from successive governments," he said. Sir Ed said the government needed to "get a grip" on the crime, adding: "We need our forces around the country to be supported and well-resourced." During the visit, he also called on chancellor Rachel Reeves to "back up" the police by ruling out any budget cuts in the upcoming Spending Review. "Our police must have the resources they need so they can tackle this problem," van Mierlo added. The BBC has contacted the Home Office for a response to the comments, whilst the Treasury said it would not comment on "speculation" regarding the Spending Review. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Spending Review: When is it and what might Rachel Reeves announce? Watch: Police issue warning after keyless car theft Man jailed for role in luxury car theft conspiracy 'In 60 seconds the car was started and stolen' Thames Valley Police
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Oxfordshire's local election vote count begins
Local election results are being counted in Banbury to determine who will control Oxfordshire County Council for the next four 69 seats on the council are up for election. There are also various district council by-elections across the authority has been run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats and the Greens since 2023, after Labour pulled out of a three-party alliance formed following the 2021 started on Friday morning and results were expected by 19:00 BST. What is at stake? Although Oxfordshire County Council probably will not exist for much longer, the authority will still have time to implement - or scrap - major policies such as planned new traffic balance of power on Oxfordshire County Council is on a knife edge. Extra seats have been created after boundary changes increased the number of councillors from 63 to the last election in 2021, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives won exactly 21 seats the authority was run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour, but Labour left in 2023 over a damning report into provision for children with disabilities and special educational needs (SEND).The council has since been run as a minority administration of Lib Dems and this election, the Conservatives will be looking to win enough seats to retake control, while the Liberal Democrats will be looking to strengthen their existing position. LIVE: Follow the latest election updatesWhat happened in local elections overnight and what's still to come?Who won the local election in my area? Are local authorities changing? This is set to be the last time Oxfordshire residents are asked to elect county councillors, as local government could be reorganised in the next four government has announced its intention to scrap the current two-tier system of local government - with both districts and a county areas have been "fast-tracked", meaning they will not have planned elections this May and will instead push on with reorganisation and was not successful in its bid to be included in the fast-track scheme, but has been told by the government to prepare plans for reorganisation, with changes set to be in put in place in this point, the county council will no longer exist and will have been replaced by one or more unitary authorities, along with a regional elected mayor. Four of Oxfordshire's MPs have been so-called "double-hatters" since the general election in means they have sat on both local councils and as MPs - that will van Mierlo, the Liberal Democrat MP for Henley, is stepping down as both a district and county Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester & Woodstock, is not standing for re-election to the county Labour MP for Banbury Sean Woodcock has also decided to stand down from his seat on Cherwell District Council, prompting a Democrat Charlie Maynard's previous seat on West Oxfordshire District Council will also be filled. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. When will we know all the results?How the BBC is reporting local election resultsAnger and indifference collide in unpredictable local elections
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Local Elections 2025: Five things to watch in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is heading for what is likely to be its last ever county council election. Over the next few weeks, the BBC will be finding out about the issues that matter to you with Your Voice Your questions and points will be put straight to the parties and candidates hoping to win your ahead of polls opening on May 1, what else do you need to know? The last ever? This is probably your last-ever chance to vote in an election for Oxfordshire County Council. The government has announced its intention to scrap the current two-tier system of local government - with both districts and a county areas have been "fast-tracked", meaning they will not have planned elections this May and will instead push on with reorganisation and was not successful in its bid to be included in the fast-track scheme, but has been told by the government to prepare plans for reorganisation, with changes set to be in put in place in this point, the county council will no longer exist and will have been replaced by one or more unitary authorities, along with a regional elected mayor. There is everything to play for Although Oxfordshire County Council probably will not exist for much longer, candidates will still be fighting hard for your authority will play a crucial role in shaping local government going forward and will still have time to implement - or scrap - major policies such as planned new traffic balance of power really is on a knife edge, and extra seats will be available after boundary changes increased the number of councillors from 63 to 69. In the last election in 2021, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives won exactly 21 seats the authority was run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour, but Labour left in 2023 over a damning report into provision for children with disabilities and special educational needs (SEND).The council has since been run as a minority administration of Lib Dems and this election, the Conservatives will be looking to win enough seats to retake control, while the Liberal Democrats will be looking to strengthen their existing with an increasingly volatile electorate - as seen at last year's general election - the result is hard to predict. Farewell to double hatters Four of Oxfordshire's MPs have been so-called "double-hatters" since the general election in July. That means they have sat on both local councils and as that will change at the election on May van Mierlo, the Liberal Democrat MP for Henley, is stepping down as both a district and county Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester & Woodstock, is not standing for re-election to the county Labour MP for Banbury Sean Woodcock has also decided to stand down from his seat on Cherwell District Council, prompting a by-election. Liberal Democrat Charlie Maynard's previous seat on West Oxfordshire District Council is now listed as "vacant" and will therefore have a by-election on May 1. Independents' Day? The number of independent councillors has increased in recent years across Oxfordshire's Independent Oxford Alliance gained four seats on Oxford City Council in last year's local voters appear to become more disillusioned with politicians, will they be looking beyond the main political parties parties for answers? A test for Reform Reform UK, and its previous incarnation the Brexit Party, has so far failed to make major inroads into local politics in party only gained its first councillors here in March, when two Conservatives on the county council defected to Reform or not those two councillors can hold onto their seats when standing for a different party will be a clear test of Reform UK's appeal in Oxfordshire. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
