The Independent Oxford Alliance is deeply concerned about the recent Citizens’ Assembly recommendation to make Oxford a car-free city centre. Reports from participants and Assembly members suggest a lack of balanced discussion and representation.
The Citizens’ Assembly has recommended reducing the number of people coming into the city—a policy that directly harms local businesses. This approach disregards the economic needs of Oxford, prioritising ideology over the livelihoods of those who depend on a thriving city centre. The outcome reflects a manipulated process that undermines the credibility of the Assembly and threatens business, culture, and accessibility for which Oxford is famous.
Other Concerns Raised by Citizen Participants:
Lack of Diverse Opinions: Participants were presented with ‘expert’ views solely supporting the car-free initiative. Local business-people invited to present counter-arguments were limited to only 3 minutes each, and their views were immediately challenged by the invited ‘experts’ making it difficult for Assembly members to reach well-informed conclusions.
Limited Participant Interaction: Some attendees felt the event was tightly controlled, restricting open discussion and therefore limiting the opportunity to challenge presented viewpoints.
Predefined Outcomes: There are allegations that the Assembly’s recommendations were predetermined, with little acknowledgment of input from participants presenting alternative views.
Views from individuals who presented to the Assembly:
Bernadette Evans: “We always suspected this Citizens’ Assembly would have a predetermined outcome in favour of the Council… The views of Oxford’s small businesses are not reflected at all in the published recommendations.”
Jenny Wells, Mobile Hairdresser: “My speech was cut from 5 mins to only 3 mins. We were then ushered out soon after we presented and were not allowed to speak to anyone – in case we influenced them!”
Jeremy Mogford, Oxford Businessman: “It’s extraordinary. There’s absolutely no mention of business, culture and maintaining the economic vibrancy of the city.”
Our Position:
The Independent Oxford Alliance is committed to genuine, transparent consultation. We believe in engaging both residents and businesses in meaningful discussions about our city’s future. In response to these concerns, we plan to:
Participate in Upcoming Elections: We are fielding candidates in the County Council elections on 1st May.
Convene a Genuine Citizens’ Assembly: If elected, we will organise an assembly where all voices can be heard without bias, ensuring outcomes reflect the true consensus of our community.
We urge the County Council to acknowledge these concerns and commit to more inclusive and transparent decision-making processes. The County Council is currently ignoring widespread public concern about the speed and direction of changes in Oxford. These policies are being imposed without properly considering the views of residents and businesses, based on the assumption that implementing the Council’s vision is inevitable.