A real alternative to relying on cars but also ends the divisive war on the car.​

​

This isn’t about forcing people out of cars—it’s about giving people a real choice.

There’s a growing perception that we’re in the middle of a war on drivers. Fines, restrictions, endless charges—all wrapped in green language but falling hardest on working families, rural residents, and those who simply can't afford to go electric or give up their car. Let’s be clear: this approach isn’t sustainable. It’s regressive. And it risks disconnecting entire communities from the lives they’ve built.

​

The car changed how we live—for the better. It gave people freedom, flexibility, and independence. It allowed rural communities to work in towns, parents to get children to schools, and carers to reach those they support. It expanded our world, connected us to opportunity, and gave people dignity through movement.

​

Yes, public transport matters—but it must be built alongside the car, not against it. A balanced, sustainable transport system means co-existence, not elimination. Otherwise, we risk a creeping reversal of everything that has made modern working life possible.

​

We’ve seen government PR around £2 bus fares and reports of rising usage—but that data ignores the nuance. Many of those new users are people who previously walked. The truth is, people will only leave their cars when a better option is available—not when they’re punished for keeping them.

​

So let’s be honest: if public transport is to succeed, we must end the performative policies and start building something practical, reliable, and fair.

​

As your county councillor, I will fight for a transport system rooted in real life—supporting public transport where it’s needed most, while defending the right to drive without shame or penalty. That’s how we build trust. That’s how we move forward—together.

​

A Reliable, Fair, and Connected Public Transport System

If you can’t rely on a bus, you can’t rely on your community.

A functioning bus system isn’t just about getting from A to B. It’s about getting to work on time, seeing your family, accessing healthcare, staying independent as you age. When buses vanish, communities shrink.

​

What I Stand For:

Oxfordshire County Council plays a central role in coordinating, funding, and supporting public transport. I will use that position to demand smarter spending, protect local routes, and rebuild trust in the system.

​

I will work hard for better transport across Oxfordshire—with a clear focus on Brize Norton and Carterton East, where cuts and unreliability have hit hard.

My Pledges:

1. I will vote against transport budgets that cut vital rural and local bus services simply because they are “not profitable.”

2. I will campaign for more reliable, regular bus services that serve commuters, students, and residents—not just city centres.

3. I will push for direct funding of underused but essential rural routes—recognising that not all services need to be profitable to be necessary.

4. I will support better integration between different transport services, so buses actually connect with trains, schools, and town hubs.

5. I will oppose cuts to school transport routes that leave families struggling to get children to school safely.

6. I will work to expand access to public transport for those with disabilities, mobility challenges, or limited income.

7. I will support smart ticketing and capped fare schemes, to make transport more affordable and competitive with car travel.

8. I will work in partnership with local communities to identify what’s missing and push for community-led solutions where national funding falls short.

9. I will fight for Brize Norton and Carterton East to be properly connected—not just to Oxford, but to local villages, shops, schools, and health services.

10. I will resist transport policies that unfairly penalise car users, particularly those in rural areas where public transport alternatives do not exist.

11. I will call for greater transparency on bus performance and council spending, so residents know what’s working—and what isn’t.

​

​