David Calonge

I have lived in Osney and St Thomas since 2022 with four lovely housemates and a somewhat challenged cat. In this time, I have seen repeated problems that have frustrated me — from the Botley Road closure fiasco, to Thames Water’s ongoing delays, to the state of our main roads and public realm. Too often we are told these issues are the result of limited resources, market forces or ageing infrastructure. I don’t agree. I believe many of these problems stem from structural weaknesses in how local government is organised and empowered. It is a matter of organisation and political will. My experience as a local government officer has shown me where the system falls short, and I am standing to help fix it at its roots.