Lib Dem councillors resign to focus on new roles

Two Liberal Democrat councillors are to step down from a district council to focus on other roles.

Freddie van Mierlo, who was elected as MP for Henley and Thame last year, had promised to step down from his councillor roles after becoming an MP.

He was first elected to represent Watlington on South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) in 2023.

Alexandrine Kantor, who was elected to represent Wheatley for SODC in 2019, will also step down following an appointment at the University of Oxford.

van Mierlo said: "It has been a privilege and an honour to serve the residents of Watlington as their district councillor.

"I'm proud of the work done while I was cabinet member to support a successful application for bathing water status at Wallingford beach, as well as deliver carbon saving projects at SODC's leisure centres and buildings."

He said he had "been clear" since his election as MP that he would step down, saying the decision "follows through on this commitment".

He added: "I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Watlington as their member of parliament.

"Watlington will always have a special place in my heart."

The MP previously said he would also step down from Oxfordshire County Council, where he has represented the Chalgrove and Watlington division since 2021.

Boundary changes for 2025 mean that the division will no longer exist and will be split three ways.

Ms Kantor takes up the position of senior projects engineer (electrical) at Oxford University.

She said: "It has been a pleasure to represent Wheatley, but now is the right time for me to focus on my career."

She said since taking over the authority in 2019 her party's councillors had delivered a "kinder, fairer, more responsive council".

"I'd like to thank the people of Wheatley for their support over many years and wish my successor the very best," she said.

By-elections for the two positions will be held on the same day as Oxfordshire County Council elections on 1 May.

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