A complete violation of the town and gown balance, closing the entirety of Cornmarket in order for the Oxford Union to platform the far-right, utterly ridiculous

Pointing out that the UK is not even in the top 20 most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries in Europe, Oxfam says it stands against all oppression and discrimination as it drives inequality, increases people’s chance of living in poverty, causes harm, and prevents people from upholding their rights.

Cowley Road Carnival will return as a “focused” event on 20 September, building up to a full carnival in 2027. New trustee Alan Brown, whose background includes Flo Fest and Leys Festival, said “2026 is about a tight, well-delivered event that gives us the platform to go bigger and better in 2027.”

Around 180 residents marched in Oxford in support of trans rights today, following the government’s latest draft code of practice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Opponents have called the guidance ‘unworkable’ and say it amounts to an attack on trans and non binary people.

Labour for Trans Rights can in no way support the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft Code of Practice. The text differs minimally from the draft version that was leaked last year. (1/3)

Cllr Baines, (Lab, Isis), echoes other members' frustration, supports Cllr Middleton's request for a full report and additionally asks what the new leader is going to change and why.

If there happens to be anyone considering standing for Labour leader, then this is worth reading and reflecting on. You may have wanted this issue to go away but it’s going to be part of the debate. #labourparty #labourleadership @andyburnham.bsky.social @wesstreeting.bsky.social @.bsky.social

Chaos at County Hall today! An hour after the new Cabinet was presented to Council by the Leader, we find out that Liz Leffman has been dumped by her Lib Dem group and a Special Council meeting will be called to agree a successor. What is going on? news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/leadership-h...

Last one of the night: Northfield Brook sees a return to the council for Labour’s Trish Elphinstone. The party will be particularly happy about this – not just because it’s a Labour *gain* compared to yesterday (ind elected as Labour in 2022). 🌹 Lab 488 ➡️ Reform 367 💚 Green 207 🔵 Con 82 🔶 LibDem 62

A very convincing Labour hold in Headington Hill & Northway for James Taylor. This was very marginal in last year’s by-election, suggesting the Independent Oxford Alliance are going backwards. 🌹 Lab 650 🟪 IOA 427 💚 Green 238 ➡️ Reform 127 🔵 Con 85 🔶 LibDem 48 🔴 TUSC 8

We are delighted to correct our earlier omission.

🚨 BREAKING: Donald Trump has lifted all tariffs on Scottish whiskey and bourbon following a request from the King

This is completely disgusting

Step this way for your Oxfordshire news - Tuesday's Clarion is out! This week includes... 🐼MPs with pandas 🚴‘Quarry Roubaix’ 🪳Tiny bugs 🎼A 10-hour choral marathon 🚆More trains 🚨A long read on potholes (!), and another on planning.. Read online, or in your inbox, and if you like it, do share!

The deadline to register to vote in the 7 May local government elections is 11.59 pm tonight. www.gov.uk/register-to-...

Thank you to the members of @labour4transrights.bsky.social for coming out to support us in Headington Hill & Northway and Barton & Sandhills today in getting Trans-allies re-elected to Oxford City Council. #oxfordlocalelections #transrights

The hard hitting political commentary* you were looking for to brighten your week. You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep - we've rounded up our local politicians' pets in something you should in no way use as a voting aid. Enjoy. *90% fluff.

In the last few weeks my Labour colleagues have been repeatedly harassed and abused by “right populist” parties. Siobhan, Lubna, and Trish, our wonderful candidates in Hinksey Park, Blackbird Leys, and Northfield Brook, have all faced massive abuse. All women, all abused by Reform/IOA types.

Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility - marked by Oxford City Council flying the flag from the Town Hall. www.oxford.gov.uk/civic-office...

The Parasol Project in Northway has been running for 35 years, and it's going from strength to strength. I was so impressed to see the young people making delicious food for the community and having fun. Thanks for showing me and local Cllr @jamessbtaylor.bsky.social around!

Awful, absolutely heartbreakingly awful www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Labour for Trans Rights welcomes the High Court’s decision that service providers may continue to operate toilet and changing room facilities on a trans-inclusionary basis.

Oxford City Council has announced it has awarded over £200,000 in grants to local organisations supporting homeless people and rough sleepers. Recipient organisations included The Porch, St. Mungo’s and Asylum Welcome. www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article...

Wassail! #wassail #marston #oxford

James Taylor (Labour, Northway): “Elections should go ahead in 2026. I’m disappointed by the attempts to brush all Labour councillors together when several of us have stated otherwise.”

Celebrating another big win in Northway as the ponds by the community centre have been cleared of weeds and made safe for local residents, with council workers also cleaning up 8 bags of litter!

Bit late on this, as i posted on instagram but not here. Here’s my 2025 spotify wrapped!

Is vodafone broadband down for everyone? Mine’s been not working properly for nearly an hour

Oxford City Council’s new events and music champion says he wants to ”get the Cowley Road Carnival back on track as a regular event in our city’s calendar” Cllr James Taylor (Lab, Headington Hill & Northway) was announced as taking on the role at last night’s council meeting.

The group leader of the Independent Oxford Alliance, Oxford’s anti-LTN party, has been found to have “harassed and bullied” a female councillor. Full report: oxfordclarion.uk/ioa-group-le...

I love Daren so much #DestinationX

Cholsey Parish Council, who owns the allotment land, however, have confirmed that the land, only part of the allotment, is not for sale; as poor quality growing land, it is merely being deregistered to manage as a nature reserve to improve biodiversity 4/5

OUFC fan Roland Clements: “I’ve been a steward at Oxford United for over 40 years. It’s not just a football match, it’s where families grow together. The club has kept me going. I live on my own: without the club I’d be staring at four walls. We feel part of something.”

A petition to save Headington Post Office has reached 1,000 signatures. Midcounties Co-op plan to close their store in January 2026. The petition was set up by Oxford’s Labour councillors and Anneliese Dodds MP, who has asked Post Office Ltd for a meeting. www.oxfordlabour.org.uk/petition-to-...

Oxfordshire’s Church of England bishops have reiterated their support for trans rights in the face of the recent Supreme Court ruling. They say “We believe that both those who are biological women (born a woman) and those who are trans women (born a man) are beloved of God and have rights.”

North Oxfordshire's Katharine House Hospice is to receive a funding boost of over £100,00 as part of the government's newly announced £75 million boost for hospices to transform end-of-life care with upgrades including specially adapted beds, rooms, and technology.

Independent news website London Centric has delved further into a group of the capital’s gift shops (aka “Harry Potter shops”) and their Oxford connections. They suggest VAT, business rates and corporation tax are not being paid: www.londoncentric.media/p/asf-aziz-l...

Here I am with the newly installed benches put in Northway Field thanks to local labour councillors (one of which is me!)

Proposed licensing changes could mean more alfresco dining spots, as well as later opening hours for pubs and clubs. Alongside these measures, a new pilot scheme will be trialled in London to allow Mayor to “call in” licensing applications in areas vital to the nighttime economy.

Calling candidates/ councillors of all parties. We love a photo op and the sun has been shining! Send us your best springtime canvass/ delivery/ shameless photo ops and we'll feature the best in this week's newsletter. Bonus points for dogs/ cats/ flowers/ trees.

Labour has unveiled its manifesto for May’s Oxfordshire County Council elections, pledging to “put more money in your pocket” and saying “A Labour-controlled County Council working hand in hand with a Labour Government at Westminster will turbo-charge what we can do for local people.”

I'm delighted that both St Joseph's and Barton Park Primary Schools will be among the first to offer Labour's free breakfast clubs, supporting: 🧠 Hungry minds not hungry bellies ⏰ Parents' work choices ✨ Children's life chances

“If we invest in improving energy efficiency of our council housing stock, we are not allowed to get any of the benefits by way of a charge, even though we make 100% of the investment. We would like to share the benefit with the tenants to make it financially more viable.”

Labour leader Cllr Liz Brighouse is introducing her party’s amendment, and begins by praising the Labour government’s increase in funding for social care and potholes. “More has been done to support local government in the last 7 months than in the previous 14 years.”

Cllr Glynis Phillips responding for Labour: “There is a disconnect between the rhetoric of the opposition party and where they would make changes. We cannot support an amendment which would adversely affect the lives of our residents.”

Sumukh Kaul, Headington (and Oxford Labour): “Seven months ago, people across this county voted for change, to take control of their destinies. I ask you to take our buses back under public control. We need to put local people before profit. We must introduce a franchising system.”

Great news

Concerning

“You’re not the far-right man for the job” The new Private Eye is out now

Squid Game season 2 is insane, that is how you do a second season. #squidgame #netflix