The Independent Oxford Alliance – A local party with a BIG difference!
The IOA was formed by Oxford 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 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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Undo policies that are currently damaging our city and ourselves.
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Instigate a return to real democracy, where our councillors represent their communities rather than blindly following the diktats of their party.
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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!
Get Ready For The Oxford Local Elections
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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.
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 city of Oxford, UK, is divided into 24 electoral wards, each of which elects two councillors to Oxford City Council.
The wards are shown in the map:
The wards vary in size and population, with some wards, such as Carfax and Holywell, covering densely populated areas of the city centre, while others, such as Wolvercote and Summertown, cover larger areas on the outskirts of the city.
Each ward has its own unique character, reflecting the different communities that live there. For example, Barton & Sandhills is a ward with a high proportion of social housing, while Headington Hill & Northway is a more affluent ward with a large student population.
The electoral wards of Oxford play an important role in the city’s democracy, giving residents a voice in how their city is run. Councillors from each ward are responsible for making decisions on a wide range of issues, including housing, planning, transport, and education.
As the impetus for forming the Alliance arose within Oxford in relation to the undemocratic imposition of traffic measures by the County Council, starting in 2021, we have decided, initially at least, to confine our area of operation to the administrative boundary of the City of Oxford.
Our immediate focus is on the City council elections in 2024, but we will also stand candidates in the County council elections the following year.
MEET THE TEAM
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 Oxford. 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)
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 Oxford a thriving and pleasant place in which to live, work and study.
If you vote for us, we promise to:
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Serve the Community
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Do what we say, and say what we do
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Shape what we do around what matters to you
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Ask your opinions with an open mind and respect your views
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Make decisions based on genuine feedback & evidence
But we can only do this if we are voted on to the councils!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GET INVOLVED
Select one of the options below to join us in our fight to change the way Oxford is governed.
Tell your friends and vote for us in the next local election!
Together, we can make change happen!
NEWS
Independent Oxford Alliance Announces Eleven Community Champions as Candidates for Oxford City Council Election
Oxford’s newest political party, the Independent Oxford Alliance, proudly introduces its slate of eleven passionate and community-driven candidates who are standing in the upcoming Oxford City Council Election on May 2nd, 2024. Each candidate is a long-time...
CALL FOR CANDIDATES
We at Independent Oxford Alliance are committed to representing the diverse voices and needs of our community. While it is unfortunate that our proposed candidate for Blackbird Leys has had to withdraw from the election due to family reasons, we remain dedicated to...
Independent Oxford Alliance Responds to Oxford City Council’s Decision on Divisive Transport Policies.
The Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) is deeply disappointed about the Motion passed by Oxford City Council yesterday evening. The Motion, which was originally intended to address divisive non-evidence-based transport policies, particularly their unfair impact on...