Anna Dorothy Railton, representing the Labour Party, has won the Hinksey Park Ward by-election with 801 votes, making her the new Labour City Councillor for South Oxford. Railton’s election continues Labour’s hold in the area, which has lasted for over 10 years.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Marie Tidball, a Labour councillor and Oxford University academic. Tidball’s resignation comes as she stands as Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Penistone & Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, where she grew up. When stepping down from her previous position, Tidball declared her support for Railton: “Anna will make an excellent Councillor. She has a record of championing local communities and getting things done for residents.”
Railton’s campaign focused on matters such as the environment, the building of new council homes, and strengthening the provision of community facilities.
Other candidates standing in the by-election included Callum Joseph Joyce (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Alex Powell (Green Party), Jennifer Anne Saunders (Conservative Party), Rick Tanner (Liberal Democrats), and Deborah Madeline Glass Woodin (an independent candidate). The full breakdown of voting is as follows:
· Labour: 801 votes – 51.3% (-10.6)
· Green: 305 votes – 19.5% (-0.9)
· Independent: 270 votes – 17.3% (+17.3)
· Liberal Democrats: 118 votes – 7.6% (-4.1)
· Conservative: 60 votes – 3.8% (-2.2)
· Trade Unionist and Socialist Candidate: 8 votes – 0.5% (New)
Upon the announcement of the results, Railton tweeted, “Both super proud and humbled to be elected to the Oxford City Council last night. Cannot wait to get started serving both Hinksey Park and the city.”
When asked about representing Oxford’s student population, Railton replied that she “was a student and a postgrad student recently (ish)” and “will always be happy to advocate on their behalf”.