A NEW voice for change is needed to shake-up council politics in Oxford, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) has said.

Party members are hoping for election victories in Blackbird Leys and Barton and Sandhills on May 5, when voters will go to the polls to elect half of the overall number of city councillors across the 24 wards.

UKIP spokesman Dickie Bird, pictured below, centre, said candidates would seek to put aside party politics in the council chamber and put people first.

He was speaking as Labour, which controls 33 seats overall, prepares to defend its commanding majority, and the Liberal Democrats fights to keep their position as official opposition, with just two councillors separating them from the Green Party.

Mr Bird said: “Politics locally needs shaking up. For far too long the party system has been the forefront for local councillors in Oxford.

“But they seem to have forgotten they have been elected by the people to serve the people.

“We need to put people before party politics, that is what UKIP stands for at a local level.”

Mother-of-one Frances Baxter is UKIP’s candidate in Barton and Sandhills this year.

The 51-year-old, a former mental health nurse for the NHS, said her priorities would be getting local people housing and getting the estates the facilities they need.

She added: “What I am hearing from people on the doorstep is that housing is a priority.

“I spoke to one gentleman who has lived here for 30 years, but neither his children or his grandchildren can get council housing in Oxford even though they were raised here.

“It is being prioritised for other people, such as those coming into the UK, but I think we need to look after our own first.

“Whatever remains afterwards should be shared though, because housing is for everyone.

“With the big influx of people including those from the new Barton Park estate, we also need to bring in the right infrastructure.

“There is not enough at the moment, there are no dedicated places for children to play, and we need more leisure sites.

“However it is important to prioritise building on brownfield sites, not greenfield sites.”

Ms Baxter, who lives in Oxford and now owns Amber Residential Care Homes, also pledged to support local businesses.

She said: “These are people who are serving their communities and we need to give them more support.

“That could mean giving planning permission for expansions or extra floors, or other things which help bring things to an acceptable level where they can afford to pay business rates.

“I will be a strong voice for people in Barton and Sandhills. If I am elected, I will not shut up in the council chamber.”

UKIP’s candidate for Blackbird Leys is Joe Lawes, of Ashmole Place. He was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

Oxford Mail:

UKIP CANDIDATES IN OXFORD CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS

  • Barton and Sandhills - Frances Baxter (far left)
  • Blackbird Leys - Joseph Lawes (far right)