Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors have traded blows and accused each other of putting “party political manoeuvring” before what the electorate voted for in this month’s local elections.
Yesterday, the Labour Party drastically pulled out of plans for an alliance with the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independents after the local elections saw the Conservative Party lose overall control of Cherwell District Council.
In the local elections, the Conservatives won just three seats, while the Liberal Democrats and Labour both won five seats each.
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The Green Party also gained two and one went to an independent candidate.
A vote of no confidence in response to these results led to Conservative Barry Wood's removal as leader of the council.
It was believed there was a majority for a progressive administration, which would include Liberal Democrats, Greens, Independents and Labour councillors.
However, since pulling out of talks with the Progressive Oxfordshire Alliance, the Labour Party’s group leader in the council Sean Woodcock, has accused the Liberal Democrats of leaving the “council in chaos”.
On Wednesday night, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independents failed to support the Labour Party’s efforts to form a minority administration.
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Mr Woodcock said that since the Conservatives lost their majority, “the people of Cherwell have clearly had enough of local Conservative incompetence and want a fresh start for our local area.”
Liberal Democrat and Oxford MP Layla Moran said she was "dismayed" to hear that the Labour Party pulled out of a "nearly finished deal" at the last minute.
She said: "The Liberal Democrats and Greens have gained nine seats from the Conservatives in the last two years compared to only three gains by Labour.
"Local residents voted for change, and overwhelmingly backed us to deliver that change.
"I urge Labour to put the interests of all Cherwell constituents above their own, get back round the table and accept that a joint administration is the most effective and stable way to deliver what local residents have voted for."
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Reacting to Labour's shock withdrawal, Liberal Democrat councillor David Hingley and leader of the Progressive Alliance at Cherwell District Council said the attempt by Labour councillors to form a minority administration was “rejected as unsustainable” at Wednesday's council meeting.
Mr Hingley accused Labour of “walking away” from talks at “the eleventh hour” but highlighted that a “non-Conservative majority alliance” was still on the table if the party wished to return to talks.
Mr Hingley said Progressive Oxfordshire and Labour councillors were in the process of concluding an alliance which “would have reflected the outcome of that very clear steer from residents”.
He added: “The results of May’s local elections that put the district into no overall control show a clear move by the electorate against the Conservatives who have been in charge in Cherwell for decades."
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Conservative and Cherwell District Councillor Eddie Reeves said: “If Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Councillors want to run the council they should get on and do so for residents' sake.
“These councillors have had weeks to come to an agreement.
“They have failed to do so, and Labour's own press release on the eve of yesterday's meeting recognises this.
"Arguing at the thirteenth hour for more time that residents simply do not have risks bringing the council into disrepute.”
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Mr Reeves said Cherwell Council was now “left in limbo” and warned that “no democratic decisions” could be taken until party political fighting was resolved.
Green Party councillor and deputy leader of the Progressive Alliance, Ian Middleton, alleged the Labour Party pulled out because the Labour Party's National Executive Committee had not given Mr Woodcock permission to form the alliance.
Mr Middleton said the idea Labour could form a minority adminstration was "ludicrous" but said there was still time for the party to come back to the table.
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Mr Woodcock has been approached for comment about the suggestion that Labour's National Executive Committee was responsible for veoting the alliance.
It is believed the Conservative Party is looking to take control of the council once again, albeit with a minority administration.
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