The Liberal Democrats are promising change after more than a decade of Conservative mismanagement of our police.
Tim Bearder has a wealth of experience serving residents and managing big budgets with a number of leading cabinet positions on Oxfordshire County Council. He has an in-depth knowledge of the wider area and its problems, having worked as a journalist for BBC South for over a decade.
As the election date of the 2nd of May looms, it is anticipated to be a hotly contested battle between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party. [1]
Responding to his selection, Councillor Bearder highlighted his key priorities:
"Communities across the Thames Valley are yearning for substantive change. The Conservative Party has consistently fallen short on recruitment goals and made cutbacks to community policing, notably in areas like Oxford and Reading. [2]
This has led to increased response times and a concerning drop in convictions, particularly for offences such as domestic burglary which are close to an all-time low. Residents have lost faith in the Conservative Party's ability to effectively manage our police force, underscoring the urgent need for an alternative approach.
The Liberal Democrats are committed to restoring community policing, providing residents the assurance that law enforcement will be present and responsive when needed."
Layla Moran MP, Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, applauded Cllr Bearder’s candidacy:
"With Tim Bearder at the helm, we have the opportunity to elect a passionate community advocate who will champion tough, innovative policing in one of the nation's largest forces.
Tim pledges to enhance the visibility, accountability, and responsiveness of policing, to make sure it aligns with the concerns of residents.
People across the Thames Valley want the Conservatives out. It is time for a Liberal Democrat to address the urgent needs of our communities."