Anti-LTN party backed by Florence Pugh’s father wins four seats in Oxford

An anti-LTN party backed by the father of Hollywood actress Florence Pugh has won four seats in Oxford in the local election.

The Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) has capitalised on a growing backlash against low traffic neighbourhoods, causing an upset on Friday by taking three seats from Labour in the Oxford City Council election.

The grassroots political party, which supports community projects and small businesses, is backed by Pugh’s father Clinton, who owns two restaurants in the area and claims he has lost business because of LTNs.

Mr Pugh, who considered running in the election but ultimately chose not to because of business commitments, welcomed the success. He said: “All of the people who have joined this party are people who are fed up with the LTN chaos in this city.

“Their success shows how the people in these areas of the city have had enough.”

The party was set up in November in response to the numerous LTNs blamed for causing gridlock on the city’s roads.

Candidates Judith Harley, Anne Stares, Ian Yeatman and David Henwood all won seats on Oxford City Council on Friday.

Another candidate, Susana Maria Pimenta De Sousa, came within eight votes of taking a seat but lost to a Labour candidate.

The party’s success reflects feelings of discontent against LTNs in parts of the city since they were first introduced in 2021.

The scheme, which has been introduced by Oxfordshire County Council, sees private vehicles blocked from entering certain residential roads. It is intended to create safer streets and improve air quality.

Three local coach companies blamed LTNs for causing “exasperatingly” slow journeys and a school said the gridlock had forced teachers to resign.

Mass protests have been organised against the scheme and LTN bollards have been run over, burned and stolen.

The IOA has capitalised on the public anger against the scheme as part of its election campaign, despite the city council having little influence over LTNs.

Speaking at the party’s launch, leader Anne Gwinnett said: “The continued rollout of LTNs is a symptom of the bigger disease which is affecting Oxfordshire’s public health and wellbeing.

“There is a lot of evidence that LTNs are causing havoc but the council is carrying on regardless.

“But, we are not an anti-LTN party. We are a pro-democracy party which wants the people’s voice to be heard.”

Ms Gwinnett refused to comment about the party’s success on Friday until all the votes had been counted.

Several other independent candidates, who are not part of the IOA, have also been critical of LTNs in their campaigns.

One of them, Mohammed Azad, was also elected on Friday, beating Labour candidate Charlie Hicks, a staunch supporter of LTNs.

Speaking after his win, Mr Azad said: “We had a mandate to remove the LTNs and get rid of them. That’s what I’m adhering to. I’m going to try to make sure that I implement what I have promised. Hopefully the council will now listen.”