Conservative Banbury Town Councillors claim Labour are playing petty politics
09/10/2025
Labour has defended the committee changes saying they are standard practice
A Banbury Town Councillor who defected from Labour to the Conservatives has been removed from a number of committees in a move the Conservatives have branded petty politics and spiteful.
Labour have defended the move saying its simply standard practise.
Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke announced his decision to leave Labour and become a Conservative councillor in September.
At a meeting of Banbury Town Council’s General Services Committee on Tuesday councillors voted to remove Councillor Okeke from two committees, replacing him with other Labour councillors.
Conservative Councillors have accused their Labour peers of a petty political move, with Councillor Okeke at the meeting when the decision was made.
Councillor Jayne Strangwood is a member of the Conservative Group, which also includes councillors Kieron Mallon, Ian Harwood and Dr Okeke. She said: “Banbury Labour have shown perhaps why some of its councillors think the Conservatives show empathy and have a more democratic approach to local politics.
“Its disappointing that this has happened, speaking to former town councillors, including my father, they confirmed that even when the Conservatives had big majorities on the council they always made sure that opposition members had a seat on a main committee.”
Councillor Okeke said: “Like many town councillors I am here to do my best to help the town and work with any councillor whatever their Politics to try to improve it. That’s why I liked to sit on the General Services committee as it looks after all our parks and gardens, play areas and the environment.
“My own Politics should not debar me from contributing in the way I have up till now, to say I am disappointed is an understatement but not surprised.
“Perhaps now people will now understand why I felt uncomfortable in the Labour Party here in Banbury?”
However, Labour Councillors say the move is simply standard practise, with the make-up of committees reflecting the make-up of the overall council.
Labour council leader, Councillor Shaida Hussain, said: “Committee places have been adjusted to reflect the recent change in the Council’s overall political composition.
“Committee places have to reflect the political make up of the council body. This is standard practice which I am sure councillor Mallon knows very well.”
Banbury Town Council comprises 18 Labour councillors, 4 Conservatives and 1 Liberal Democrat.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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