Gareth Epps
@garethepps.bsky.social
Liberal Democrat county councillor for Deddington, North Oxfordshire. He/him. Campaigner for pubs.
Pinned
Gareth Epps
@garethepps.bsky.social
· Sep 28
Recently I brought Calum Miller MP to the site of Ardley station. A developer-funded reprovided station here is essential to avoiding gridlock should Heyford Park New Town, Puy du Fou and OxSFRI go ahead.
Sign the petition at: www.oxonld.uk/ardley-station
Sign the petition at: www.oxonld.uk/ardley-station
Tonight, Labour-run Oxford City called an extraordinary council meeting - the first in at least 30 years - to discuss whether to cancel May’s elections.
The outcome of this democratic debate was….. councillors weren’t given a vote.
I wonder what Labour are frightened of?
The outcome of this democratic debate was….. councillors weren’t given a vote.
I wonder what Labour are frightened of?
Good evening! It’s Oxford City Council’s special meeting to discuss (but not actually decide…) whether to stage elections this year. Usually this wouldn’t be up for debate, of course, but the Government has raised the option given the impending local government reorganisation.
January 14, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Tonight, Labour-run Oxford City called an extraordinary council meeting - the first in at least 30 years - to discuss whether to cancel May’s elections.
The outcome of this democratic debate was….. councillors weren’t given a vote.
I wonder what Labour are frightened of?
The outcome of this democratic debate was….. councillors weren’t given a vote.
I wonder what Labour are frightened of?
Post of the day.
We see that Reform UK continues to be a retirement home for failed Conservatives, as erstwhile RBC Tory leader Clarence Mitchell defects to them.
A shameful, if predictable, move for the former press spokesperson for Cambridge Analytica. We wonder how long his Ukraine lapel pin will last?
A shameful, if predictable, move for the former press spokesperson for Cambridge Analytica. We wonder how long his Ukraine lapel pin will last?
January 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Post of the day.
I was chatting to a parish cllr in Somerton yesterday and stopped to take pictures of these potholes for FixMyStreet. (The one to the right is next to a Thames Water foul drain so needs checking with them). Who should I find but a highways officer? Confirmed action on 2 other village issues too.
January 14, 2026 at 8:49 AM
I was chatting to a parish cllr in Somerton yesterday and stopped to take pictures of these potholes for FixMyStreet. (The one to the right is next to a Thames Water foul drain so needs checking with them). Who should I find but a highways officer? Confirmed action on 2 other village issues too.
The long-awaited buildouts are under construction at Hempton. Worrying how many vehicles don’t think this sign applies to them: it isn’t just farm or village traffic
January 12, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The long-awaited buildouts are under construction at Hempton. Worrying how many vehicles don’t think this sign applies to them: it isn’t just farm or village traffic
Reposted by Gareth Epps
Ladies and gentlemen: The Daily Telegraph.
January 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Ladies and gentlemen: The Daily Telegraph.
This is all fair enough, but Russian history is littered over centuries with leaders impoverishing the population for their vanity projects.
Putin’s ice palace may look different, but what response might there be?
Putin’s ice palace may look different, but what response might there be?
"The Russian economy is under enormous strain, and is running out of resources.... The policy implication is that sanctions are highly effective, despite their imperfect implementation and enforcement."
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
By @martinsandbu.ft.com
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
By @martinsandbu.ft.com
Russia is running out of money
Go behind the propaganda, and the intensifying strain is evident
giftarticle.ft.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:05 AM
This is all fair enough, but Russian history is littered over centuries with leaders impoverishing the population for their vanity projects.
Putin’s ice palace may look different, but what response might there be?
Putin’s ice palace may look different, but what response might there be?
I only ever signed up to the cesspit to stop trolls fraudulently using my name. Even that didn’t work. Posted on it once.
Now I don’t need to worry about it any more.
Now I don’t need to worry about it any more.
January 11, 2026 at 10:03 AM
I only ever signed up to the cesspit to stop trolls fraudulently using my name. Even that didn’t work. Posted on it once.
Now I don’t need to worry about it any more.
Now I don’t need to worry about it any more.
Heyford Park is a potential New Town under a single landowner, Dorchester Living. They own all streets bar the spine road, footways and car parks.
This was the central car park at lunchtime today.
This was the central car park at lunchtime today.
January 10, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Heyford Park is a potential New Town under a single landowner, Dorchester Living. They own all streets bar the spine road, footways and car parks.
This was the central car park at lunchtime today.
This was the central car park at lunchtime today.
No. If they were users, they would lose drugs.
Labour, are you high?
Pat McFadden: "The United States is a reliable ally"
January 10, 2026 at 9:05 PM
No. If they were users, they would lose drugs.
Reposted by Gareth Epps
Well done this MP.
I'm shocked and disappointed most of them continue to post on Twitter. Hooked on their illusory and meaningless follower count from 16 years ago
Move on!
I'm shocked and disappointed most of them continue to post on Twitter. Hooked on their illusory and meaningless follower count from 16 years ago
Move on!
Yesterday I posted my last ever Tweet and called on the Government to do the same.
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Read more below on why I think it’s time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter.
www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
It is time to leave the cesspit formerly known as Twitter
Grok is just one of many reasons why Westminster should finally get off the website.
www.politicshome.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Well done this MP.
I'm shocked and disappointed most of them continue to post on Twitter. Hooked on their illusory and meaningless follower count from 16 years ago
Move on!
I'm shocked and disappointed most of them continue to post on Twitter. Hooked on their illusory and meaningless follower count from 16 years ago
Move on!
A busy morning at Middle Aston Parish Meeting - my smallest parish - then a pothole reporting mission and to Somerton to get my latest newsletter out.
January 10, 2026 at 12:41 PM
A busy morning at Middle Aston Parish Meeting - my smallest parish - then a pothole reporting mission and to Somerton to get my latest newsletter out.
Labour’s attack on the pub trade continues.
I’m planning to visit all the pubs in my division during January which is the toughest time of year for the trade.
It will involve heavy use of driver-friendly options. But that doesn’t mean I support the cut to the drink-drive limit.
I’m planning to visit all the pubs in my division during January which is the toughest time of year for the trade.
It will involve heavy use of driver-friendly options. But that doesn’t mean I support the cut to the drink-drive limit.
January 7, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Labour’s attack on the pub trade continues.
I’m planning to visit all the pubs in my division during January which is the toughest time of year for the trade.
It will involve heavy use of driver-friendly options. But that doesn’t mean I support the cut to the drink-drive limit.
I’m planning to visit all the pubs in my division during January which is the toughest time of year for the trade.
It will involve heavy use of driver-friendly options. But that doesn’t mean I support the cut to the drink-drive limit.
To the PDC World Darts Final, and the quest for the record: how many different ways can Wayne Mardle pronounce the name of Gian Van Veen?
January 3, 2026 at 8:24 PM
To the PDC World Darts Final, and the quest for the record: how many different ways can Wayne Mardle pronounce the name of Gian Van Veen?
Lovely sunshine for letting people know what I’ve been doing as county councillor.
January 3, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Lovely sunshine for letting people know what I’ve been doing as county councillor.
A deeply worrying portent for international law unless someone stands up to Trump.
January 3, 2026 at 12:10 PM
A deeply worrying portent for international law unless someone stands up to Trump.
Lots of correspondence over the holiday period about potholes!
If it’s really bad (if your foot would disappear into the water: don’t try this!), please drop me a line with a FixMyStreet reference and ideally a photo, and I’ll get on it.
If it’s really bad (if your foot would disappear into the water: don’t try this!), please drop me a line with a FixMyStreet reference and ideally a photo, and I’ll get on it.
December 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Lots of correspondence over the holiday period about potholes!
If it’s really bad (if your foot would disappear into the water: don’t try this!), please drop me a line with a FixMyStreet reference and ideally a photo, and I’ll get on it.
If it’s really bad (if your foot would disappear into the water: don’t try this!), please drop me a line with a FixMyStreet reference and ideally a photo, and I’ll get on it.
It’s been really important in recent years, and no less so now.
The difference between a libertarian and a liberal.
John Stuart mill’s The Harm principle needs to be urgently understood in 2026
John Stuart mill’s The Harm principle needs to be urgently understood in 2026
When they talk about freedom, they have always been specifically talking about their own freedom and that of people like them, and not everyone’s liberty. Their freedom is entirely compatible with you being clubbed in the teeth by a policeman in space marine armour, and at some points depends on it.
December 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
It’s been really important in recent years, and no less so now.
Another win for Cummins, sorry, Cummings
December 28, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Another win for Cummins, sorry, Cummings
Reposted by Gareth Epps
...in a waterpark in Surrey
This is going to end with Ed Davey on the run from a CIA hit squad
Former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has been sanctioned by the United States for threatening Twitter with consequences for possible inaction on removal of illegal content and disinformation requirements. #Image(s) #EuropeanUnion
https://i.redd.it/eir5vtgu019g1.png
https://i.redd.it/eir5vtgu019g1.png
December 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
...in a waterpark in Surrey
Almost missed the Government consultation on management companies in new developments: a significant concern in Heyford Park. It was published, to little fanfare, on 18 December. Why?
Anyway, if you want to share your views please respond. Deadline March.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Anyway, if you want to share your views please respond. Deadline March.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements
This consultation seeks view on proposals to tackle unadopted amenities on privately managed housing estates in England.
www.gov.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Almost missed the Government consultation on management companies in new developments: a significant concern in Heyford Park. It was published, to little fanfare, on 18 December. Why?
Anyway, if you want to share your views please respond. Deadline March.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Anyway, if you want to share your views please respond. Deadline March.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
So the Government has written to our three district councils with 2026 elections (Cherwell, Oxford, West Oxon) offering to postpone the elections.
Sorry, Labour, but we’re not afraid of democracy even if you are. It would be utterly wrong to frustrate the will of the people. #letusvote
Sorry, Labour, but we’re not afraid of democracy even if you are. It would be utterly wrong to frustrate the will of the people. #letusvote
December 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
So the Government has written to our three district councils with 2026 elections (Cherwell, Oxford, West Oxon) offering to postpone the elections.
Sorry, Labour, but we’re not afraid of democracy even if you are. It would be utterly wrong to frustrate the will of the people. #letusvote
Sorry, Labour, but we’re not afraid of democracy even if you are. It would be utterly wrong to frustrate the will of the people. #letusvote
Council budgets for the next 3 years are announced. Numbers are being crunched but are not good. Cherwell targeted by Labour’s austerity.
Government has issued calculations that expect the largest possible council tax rises to be brought in, and yes - it’s still bad.
Government has issued calculations that expect the largest possible council tax rises to be brought in, and yes - it’s still bad.
December 18, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Council budgets for the next 3 years are announced. Numbers are being crunched but are not good. Cherwell targeted by Labour’s austerity.
Government has issued calculations that expect the largest possible council tax rises to be brought in, and yes - it’s still bad.
Government has issued calculations that expect the largest possible council tax rises to be brought in, and yes - it’s still bad.
Reporting potholes via FixMyStreet gets a quicker response with photos attached. I spotted these on Monday in Hopcraft Lane, Deddington and have added photos.
Shot of foot to illustrate size of the pothole. If it’s safe, please do take and upload a picture: it really helps. Thanks.
Shot of foot to illustrate size of the pothole. If it’s safe, please do take and upload a picture: it really helps. Thanks.
December 17, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reporting potholes via FixMyStreet gets a quicker response with photos attached. I spotted these on Monday in Hopcraft Lane, Deddington and have added photos.
Shot of foot to illustrate size of the pothole. If it’s safe, please do take and upload a picture: it really helps. Thanks.
Shot of foot to illustrate size of the pothole. If it’s safe, please do take and upload a picture: it really helps. Thanks.
It’s going to take a while to settle down, but once the Cherwell Street works are done, public transport in Banbury will be a whole lot better.
It's great that the new, Tramway link in Banbury has enabled more bus-rail connections.
Well done Stagecoach and OCC.
Well done Stagecoach and OCC.
Chipping Norton, Hook Norton and Bloxham are getting a direct bus link to Banbury station. Following works at Tramway Road to provide better station access for buses, cyclists and pedestrians, Stagecoach is re-routing the 488 bus to run directly to the station.
December 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It’s going to take a while to settle down, but once the Cherwell Street works are done, public transport in Banbury will be a whole lot better.
An update on what I’ve been up to. Thanks to our volunteers helping get word out, especially around this time. And thanks to Deddington’s postie who found the finger post (background) when a lorry backed into it and enabled a community-sourced repair saving £££….
December 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
An update on what I’ve been up to. Thanks to our volunteers helping get word out, especially around this time. And thanks to Deddington’s postie who found the finger post (background) when a lorry backed into it and enabled a community-sourced repair saving £££….