Councillors not happy at extra meeting because of “Lib Dem infighting”
20/05/2026
Farcical and appalling were amongst the words used to describe the situation
A new leader has been elected for Oxfordshire County Council – just a week after Liz Leffman was elected to the role.
Within minutes of last week’s meeting Councillor Leffman resigned as leader meaning an Extraordinary General Meeting had to be called to elect her replacement.
Both Conservative and Labour councillors attacked the Liberal Democrats for the move, with Banbury Calthorpe Councillor Isabel Creed amongst those expressing her dissatisfaction. She said: “When I came to be elected as a councillor I came to talk about the issues for people in Banbury Calthorpe, but instead we’ve been asked to come here – basically – to discuss Lib Dem infighting, which is quite frankly appalling.”
Mark Cherry, who represents Banbury Ruscote, told the meeting the whole exercise had been a complete waste of tax-payers money and Kieron Mallon from Banbury Easington explained the inconvenience that had been caused. He said: “My consultant surgeon wanted me at the JR Hospital at 8am this morning. As soon as this finishes I’ll have to get a taxi and rush there and hope he’ll still be able to fit me in today in his busy schedule.
“I think this has descended into a comedy farce really.”
As the largest group on the council the Liberal Democrat’s went on to nominate Councillor Tim Bearder as the council’s new leader. He said: “It is a huge honour to have been given the opportunity to serve as Leader of Oxfordshire County Council. I do not take that responsibility lightly.
“Politics matters most when it improves people’s everyday lives.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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