Local Elections Across Oxfordshire
16th May 2026
Local elections took place in May in Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire, while no elections were held in Vale of White Horse or South Oxfordshire.
Across the county, the elections saw gains for the Greens in Oxford City, Conservatives in West Oxfordshire and Reform UK in Cherwell. Labour retained its position as the largest group in Oxford City, while the Liberal Democrats remain the largest party in both West Oxfordshire and Cherwell. All three councils continue under no overall control.
See below for a breakdown of the results…
CPRE Oxfordshire will be writing to newly elected councillors and members of the new planning committees over the coming weeks, with a positive message about working together to protect and enhance Oxfordshire’s countryside while recognising the need for genuinely affordable housing.
Our key priorities include:
- protecting the Green Belt and countryside;
- supporting sustainable development;
- encouraging higher-density, lower land-take housing;
- ensuring infrastructure comes before expansion;
- prioritising rooftop renewables before greenfield solar development.
Results by District
In Oxford City half the seats were up for election, with Green making ground, but no overall control and Labour retaining the most seats.
Elected:
| Labour | 10 | (-1) |
| Greens | 9 | (+4) |
| LD | 4 | (=) |
| Independent | 1 | (-3) |
New council:
| Labour | 20 | (-1) |
| Greens | 13 | (+4) |
| LD | 9 | (=) |
| Independent | 6 | (-3) |
In West Oxfordshire one third of the seats were up for election , with conservative gaining the most additional seats, but no overall control and Lib Dems holding the most seats .
Elected:
| LD | 7 | (-1) |
| Conservative | 7 | (+3) |
| Labour | 0 | (-2) |
| Greens | 1 | (=) |
| REF | 1 | (=) |
New council:
| LD | 20 | (-1) |
| Conservative | 16 | (+3) |
| Labour | 8 | (-2) |
| Greens | 4 | (=) |
| REF | 1 | (=) |
In Cherwell one third of the seats were up for election , with Reform gaining the most additional seats, but no overall control and Lib Dems holding the most seats .
Elected:
| LD | 8 | (+4) |
| Labour | 1 | (-3) |
| Conservative | 2 | (-4) |
| REF | 6 | (+6) |
| Greens | 1 | (=) |
| Independent | 0 | (-3) |
New council:
| LD | 21 | (+4) |
| Labour | 8 | (-3) |
| Conservative | 8 | (-4) |
| REF | 6 | (+6) |
| Greens | 4 | (=) |
| Independent | 1 | (-3) |