Five things to watch in Oxfordshire's elections

In an election that is hard to predict in Oxfordshire, we do know that dogs at polling stations will definitely be a thing

Oxfordshire is heading for what is likely to be its last ever county council election.

Over the next few weeks, the BBC will be finding out about the issues that matter to you with Your Voice Your Vote.

Those questions and points will be put straight to the parties and candidates hoping to win your support.

But, ahead of polls opening on May 1, what else do you need to know?

The last ever?

This is probably your last-ever chance to vote in an election for Oxfordshire County Council.

The government has announced its intention to scrap the current two-tier system of local government - with both districts and a county council.

Some areas have been "fast-tracked", meaning they will not have planned elections this May and will instead push on with reorganisation and devolution.

Oxfordshire was not successful in its bid to be included in the fast-track scheme, but has been told by the government to prepare plans for reorganisation, with changes set to be in put in place in 2028.

After this point, the county council will no longer exist and will have been replaced by one or more unitary authorities, along with a regional elected mayor.

There is everything to play for

Although Oxfordshire County Council probably will not exist for much longer, candidates will still be fighting hard for your vote.

The authority will play a crucial role in shaping local government going forward and will still have time to implement - or scrap - major policies such as planned new traffic filters.

The balance of power really is on a knife edge, and extra seats will be available after boundary changes increased the number of councillors from 63 to 69.

In the last election in 2021, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives won exactly 21 seats each.

Initially, the authority was run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour, but Labour left in 2023 over a damning report into provision for children with disabilities and special educational needs (SEND).

The council has since been run as a minority administration of Lib Dems and Greens.

In this election, the Conservatives will be looking to win enough seats to retake control, while the Liberal Democrats will be looking to strengthen their existing position.

But with an increasingly volatile electorate - as seen at last year's general election - the result is hard to predict.

Farewell to double hatters

Four of Oxfordshire's MPs have been so-called "double-hatters" since the general election in July.

That means they have sat on both local councils and as MPs.

But that will change at the election on May 1.

Freddie van Mierlo, the Liberal Democrat MP for Henley, is stepping down as both a district and county councillor.

Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester & Woodstock, is not standing for re-election to the county council.

The Labour MP for Banbury Sean Woodcock has also decided to stand down from his seat on Cherwell District Council, prompting a by-election.

Liberal Democrat Charlie Maynard's previous seat on West Oxfordshire District Council is now listed as "vacant" and will therefore have a by-election on May 1.

Independents' Day?

The number of independent councillors has increased in recent years across Oxfordshire's councils.

The Independent Oxford Alliance gained four seats on Oxford City Council in last year's local elections.

As voters appear to become more disillusioned with politicians, will they be looking beyond the main political parties parties for answers?

A test for Reform

Reform UK, and its previous incarnation the Brexit Party, has so far failed to make major inroads into local politics in Oxfordshire.

The party only gained its first councillors here in March, when two Conservatives on the county council defected to Reform UK.

Whether or not those two councillors can hold onto their seats when standing for a different party will be a clear test of Reform UK's appeal in Oxfordshire.