Oxford City councillor resigns in bid for Bournemouth East seat

Tom Hayes had served on Oxford City Council for almost a decade

A councillor has resigned after a decade ahead of the upcoming general election when he will stand as a candidate.

Labour councillor Tom Hayes had represented St Clements ward on Oxford City Council since 2014.

He is the party's candidate in the parliamentary seat of Bournemouth East in the general election, which is expected to take place this year.

Mr Hayes had previously been the council's deputy leader.

He said he had "enjoyed" his time as a councillor and was "proud to have delivered greener transport and plans to make the city a better and healthier place to live".

Labour council leader Susan Brown said: "Tom has been a hard-working councillor and a passionate advocate of a green agenda designed to improve the health of our city, and making it a cleaner and more pleasant place to live".

She added: "I wish my former deputy leader all the best in his coming battle against the Tories."

Mr Hayes had previously been the council's deputy leader from 2020 to 2022 and the cabinet member responsible for green transport and zero carbon in Oxford.

Tobias Elwood is the current Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, and has held the seat since 2005.

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