The Independent Oxford Alliance – A local party with a BIG difference!
The IOA was formed by Oxfordshire people wanting to bring common sense back into local politics.
We want a return to effective democracy, where all people have a voice and their voice is heard.
While we are formally a political party, we operate as an alliance of independents.
We don’t have a party whip.
So, unlike the ‘mainstream’ parties, our candidates and councillors do not have to follow a party line.
They are free to represent and act in the best interests of the people in their ward.
The IOA constitution makes this clear:
The group holds a limited core set of values and policies to which all candidates adhere, but, outside these, candidates are free to pursue the issues most relevant to their particular wards in City, District Council or County Council elections.
IOA candidates and our four City Councillors think for themselves and have their own views.
They are not all the same – except that they ALL believe in real democracy, freedom of speech, truly representing their constituents and being fully accountable for their own actions.
OUR MISSION
To:
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Introduce policies that improve the lives of all residents and businesses in Oxfordshire.
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Undo policies that are currently damaging our city, our county, and ourselves.
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Instigate a return to genuine democracy, putting the majority public voice front and centre
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Ensure that, with our shared values, our councillors are free to vote independently and
truly represent their communities. -
Spend your money wisely on actions that meet the needs of the wider community.
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With your support, we will get our candidates elected as councillors on the City and County Councils in Oxford and Oxfordshire
Please join us to make this happen!
OUR PROMISES
OUR KEY OBJECTIVES
The Independent Oxford Alliance has two key objectives that underpin and shape our priorities:
Upholding Democracy
Democracy should be the foundation of our society. However, in recent times the political parties have disregarded the freedom, equality and accountability that are essential components of democracy. Local consultations are designed to steer results in a particular direction and objections to proposals are ignored.
IOA will first and foremost be accountable to the residents and businesses that we serve.
We will genuinely seek out the views of residents and businesses, and deliver unbiased and fully transparent consultations, effectively promoted and widely accessible. Most importantly, we will take notice of the results and work to deliver what our communities want and need.
Improving Quality of Life
We will build upon community values, ensuring that communities have the facilities they need within easy reach, whilst having the freedom to travel to distant places.
We will honour the freedoms for which people have fought over centuries, and will respect individuals’ rights to have dominion over their lives – creating an environment where individuals are encouraged and supported to reach their potential, and where the rights of all people are respected – including the elderly and less able.
Our aim is to create prosperous communities that are open for business, where employment levels are high and small businesses do well, and where there is opportunity for all to lead happy and fulfilled lives.
We recognise that isolation is an issue; that people need companionship and contact. We will facilitate travel and face-to-face activities, access to education and health care, and create a sense of unity within and between communities.
To deliver these key objectives, we have identified our shared priorities, or policies.
OUR CAMPAIGNS
The Independent Oxford Alliance is working hard to prepare for the forthcoming election. We are committed to winning and serving the people of Oxford. Here are some of the ways we are preparing:
- Recruiting and supporting candidates. We are actively recruiting candidates who are passionate about our values and platform. We are also providing them with the coaching and resources they need to run successful campaigns.
- Developing a strong platform. Our platform is based on the values and priorities of our members and supporters. We are working to develop a platform that is both aspirational and achievable.
- Building a strong campaign infrastructure. We are building a strong campaign infrastructure that will allow us to reach voters and mobilise our supporters. We are also working to raise the funds we need to run a successful campaign.
- Getting people to vote for us. We are committed to reaching as many people as possible (including those who have not voted for a long time) and to ensuring that all those eligible are registered and able to vote, either in person with acceptable ID* or via postal vote. We are working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to cast their vote, by supporting people to register as new voters, request a postal vote, or update their details.
We are confident that we can win the forthcoming election and build a better future for the people of Oxfordshire. We are working hard to earn the trust and support of the people, and we are committed to serving them if we are elected.
* Acceptable IDs are: Driving licence, UK Passport, Blue badge, Older Person’s Bus Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, BRP (Biometric Residence Permit), Defence Identity Card (MoD form 90), a Voter Authority Certificate (free on-line), An Anonymous Elector’s Certificate, a PASS Badge (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
The Independent Oxford Alliance has no connection with any other political party, nor is it dependent on any other organisation or individual. Our funding comes from membership fees, donations (including crowdfunding), and from the sale of merchandise relevant to our cause.
WHERE WE OPERATE
The Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) is a grassroots political movement dedicated solely to addressing the pressing local issues facing Oxfordshire.
While our overall objective is to return full and transparent democracy to Oxford and Oxfordshire politics, the party’s current, primary focus is on reversing what we views as the destructive transport policies implemented by the current County administration. These policies, including contentious changes to road access, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and traffic filtering schemes, have sparked widespread frustration among residents and businesses alike. The IOA argues that these measures have disrupted communities, harmed local commerce, and exacerbated traffic problems, instead of solving them.
Our mission is to restore common-sense, community-centered approaches to transport and infrastructure planning.
To achieve our goals, we are committed to standing candidates in as many electoral divisions as possible in the May 2025 County Council elections. By doing so, the party aims to provide voters across the county with an alternative to the status quo. We believe that putting transport policies back on the right track will require strong representation in the council chambers, and so we are rallying local communities to identify and support Independent candidates who are deeply rooted in their areas and attuned to the needs of their neighbours.
With a clear vision for reversing harmful policies and focusing on sustainable, practical solutions, the IOA hopes to drive meaningful change for Oxfordshire’s future.
MEET THE TEAM
JOIN US
Now is a good time to re-engage in politics!
Are you disillusioned with local politics?
Are you not voting because you think it makes no difference?
The good news is that you are now in the majority!
In Oxford City Council elections, 2022, the average turnout rate across the 24 wards was just 39%. This means nearly 2/3 of us chose not to vote.
That’s around 65,000 people.
Think of the difference it would make if we chose to vote for something new….. It could lead to a significant change for the better in our local politics.
We have the power to make a difference!
And we are offering a viable alternative for your vote!
We are not like the other political parties.
We are an Alliance of independent candidates who focus on the needs of their community, represent the people who elected them, and work together to make Oxfordshire a thriving and pleasant place in which to live, work and study.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NEWS
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