Local Conservative councillors have challenged Bicester MP Calum Miller over his opposition to government plans to use the MOD Bicester site to accommodate migrants, accusing him of attempting to distance himself from a policy position he previously supported as an Oxfordshire county councillor.
Conservative councillors say residents deserve clear answers about the proposals, including the potential impact on local services and communities, and have criticised the way the plans have been brought forward.
They have also questioned the absence of Mr Miller from protests organised by local residents opposing the plans.
Particular attention is being drawn to Mr Miller's record at Oxfordshire County Council. In November 2023, while serving as a Liberal Democrat county councillor, Mr Miller supported a motion proposed by fellow Liberal Democrat Cllr Andrew Gant calling for Oxfordshire to become a recognised Council of Sanctuary.
The motion stated that “people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as part of our communities.”
Local Conservatives say Mr Miller must now explain how his current campaign against the Bicester proposals is consistent with the position he supported in 2023.
Cllr Liam Walker, Leader of the Conservatives at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Residents are understandably concerned about these plans and the way they appear to have been imposed on the local community. What they need now is strong representation and some straight answers. Calum Miller is trying to position himself as an opponent of these proposals, but his own voting record raises some serious questions. In 2023 he voted for Oxfordshire to become a Council of Sanctuary and supported a motion which explicitly said people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as part of our communities."
"He is now getting the consequences of the position he voted for, so it is difficult to see how he can credibly campaign against it without explaining what has changed. Rather than political positioning, residents need practical support. Conservative councillors are looking at what options are available at both Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council to stand up for the communities affected.”
Bicester Town Councillor Sam Holland said: "People in Bicester feel that decisions are being made about their community without them having a meaningful say. Residents have organised protests and made their concerns clear, yet our MP has been noticeably absent from those demonstrations. If Calum Miller now believes these plans are wrong, he needs to explain why the principles he supported as a county councillor apparently no longer apply when the consequences reach Bicester."
"Our focus as local Conservative councillors will be on listening to residents, asking the difficult questions and exploring every legitimate option available to ensure Bicester's voice is heard.”
Local Conservative councillors will now examine what measures can be pursued through Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council to scrutinise the proposals and support residents who could be affected.
