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Election candidates on why they want to be involved

Kirsteen O'Sullivan
BBC South Today
BBC South took the six candidates punting on the River Cherwell in Oxford to talk about why they want to be involved in politics

Six candidates who are standing in the forthcoming Oxfordshire County Council election have talked about their motivations for getting involved in local politics.

One current county councillor said he realised quickly after first being elected that the change he had sought would not be immediate and would take time.

Another said she wanted to get involved to help their community, while one said he hoped to make the world a better place for his young daughter.

The election, which is likely to be the county council's last ahead of local government reorganisation, will take place on 1 May.

Mark Lygo is wearing a grey jumper and a lifejacket and green cap. He is smiling at the camera.
Mark Lygo said he wanted to make a difference to people's lives

Mark Lygo is standing in the Marston and Northway division and is a current county and Oxford city councillor.

"There have been times when I have thought about walking away," he said.

"But then you think and reflect about times you have made a difference to people's lives and that's why I'm involved. That's what makes me happy."

County councillors are not paid a salary, but a standard member receives a monthly allowance of about £1,500 and can claim expenses. Most juggle the demands with their day jobs.

Emma Markham has blonde hair and is wearing an orange lifejacket. The river is behind her.
Emma Markham is standing for the Green Party on 1 May

Emma Markham, the Greens' candidate for Shrivenham, currently works for the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in Swindon and has a background in genetics.

"For me, it's about the people," she said. "I deeply care about my community and local people so I'm involved in so much in my local community."

Emily Scaysbrook, the candidate for the Independent Oxford Alliance for the Parks division in the city, co-owns Hoyle's in High Street.

"I have lived here, studied here and worked here one way or other for almost my whole life so I love this city and want to see it thrive," she said.

"What it comes down to for me – and it's appropriate given I own a games shop – is I really don't like unfairness."

Emily Scaysbrook has her dark hair tied up and is wearing dark glasses and golden earrings.
Emily Scaysbrook said she has spent much of her life in Oxford
Katherine Miles is smiling for the camera and is wearing an orange coat and red lifejacket. She has hair tied back and is wearing dark-rimmed glasses.
Katherine Miles is a current Lib Dem Oxford city councillor

Katherine Miles, a city councillor who is standing for the Liberal Democrats in Summertown and Walton Manor, said she was "determined and resilient" and liked to build consensus.

She said she had suffered multiple pregnancy losses, but had come through those experiences and hoped to make the world a better place.

David Rogers is the Conservative candidate for Chipping Norton and said he got involved in local politics after an ambulance was unable to collect his ill son because of snow.

"I said to myself: 'right, I have got to do something about this,'" he said.

"So I joined the parish council because I wanted to set up a snow warden scheme and that happened, it flourished and it was my first step into local politics."

David Rogers has shaved, short white hair and is wearing a blue lifejacket. He is wearing a woollen scarf and a green waterproof coat.
David Rogers said he initially got involved in local politics by joining his parish council
Hao Du is looking at the camera and has a blue lifejacket on with a dark jumper. He is wearing glasses and has short dark hair.
Hao Du is standing for Reform UK in Didcot South on 1 May

Hao Du, Reform UK's candidate in Didcot South, said he wants to make a difference for the youngest in society.

"I became a father in 2023 and, honestly, time has flown by," he said.

"It's a bit of a cliché but she is the light of my day. She is the reason I wake up every day energised to do the best that I can.

"I want to give her the chance to grow up in a safe, prosperous and green and pleasant land that I enjoyed as a child."

In Marston and Northway, the other candidates are: Rachel Cox (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Duncan Hatfield (Local Conservatives), Harry Knipe-Gibbs (Reform UK), Nasreen Majeed (Independent Oxford Alliance), Alistair Morris (Green) and Eleonore Vogel (Lib Dem).

In Shrivenham, the other candidates are: David Brook (Lib Dem), Richard Johnson (Labour), Gordon Lundie (Local Conservatives) and Sarah von Simson (Reform UK).

In Parks, the other candidates are: Anna Avila Taylor (Reform), Dane Comerford (Lib Dem), Harriet Dolby (Local Conservatives), Rosie Douglas-Brown (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Emma Garnett (Green), Gavin Ridley (Animal Welfare Party) and Louise Upton (Labour).

In Summertown and Walton Manor, the other candidates are: Mark Beer (Independent Oxford Alliance), James Fry (Labour and Co-Op), Penelope Lenon (Local Conservatives), John Lord (Reform UK) and Indrani Sigamany (Green).

In Chipping Norton, the other candidates are: Leslie Channon (Lib Dems), Claire Lasko (Green), Geoff Saul (Labour and Co-Op) and Henry Watt (Reform UK).

In Didcot South, the other candidates are: Mocky Khan (Labour and Co-Op), Peter Kirby-Harris (Lib Dem), Peter Sims (Green) and Alan Thompson (Local Conservatives).

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