An MP has maintained he can balance two jobs by also sitting on the county council as calls increase for those not regularly attending meetings to resign.
Four of Oxfordshire’s six MPs are also local council councillors, including Calum Miller, Freddie van Mierlo, Sean Woodcock and Charlie Maynard.
Mr Miller, Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said he stayed on as a county councillor to see through local projects and avoid the cost of a by-election.
However, Liam Walker, deputy leader of the Conservative group on the county council, criticised MPs who sit on councils but have low meeting attendance.
He told ITV News: “If you’re not showing up and going to those meetings, you’re not doing that job.
“Yes, you might be doing it in parliament but that’s a completely different level.
“My view is they need to step aside and let someone else do it.”
When contacted for comment, Mr Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, told us: “I am committed to serving the people who elected me as their representative.
“I was elected as the county councillor for Otmoor in 2021.
“When I was elected as an MP, I wrote to parish councils and residents in Otmoor to explain my decision to see through key local projects and avoid the unnecessary cost of a by-election for what would likely be a very short-term in office for any new councillor.
“I am fully committed to delivering for both constituents across Bicester and Woodstock in parliament and residents in Otmoor in County Hall.
“Balancing the roles requires organisation and dedication but I am working hard in both.
“My focus remains on ensuring local voices are heard, both in the council chamber and on the national stage.”
Mr Miller has attended 57 per cent of Oxfordshire County Council meetings, between the date of the general election and the end of 2024.
He left the last full county council meeting halfway through to get back to his role in parliament.
Sean Woodcock, Labour MP for Banbury, has an attendance rate of 50 per cent on Cherwell District Council, while Charlie Maynard, Lib Dem MP for Witney, has an attendance rate of 33 per cent.
Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, sits on both Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.
His attendance record for county council meetings stands at 25 per cent, while his attendance record for district council meetings is 17 per cent.
Since last year’s general election, 62 of the 650 MPs have remained in their roles as local councillors.
Of those who publish their attendance, over half have attended less than 50 per cent of council meetings since July.
30 of those MPs are still receiving some payment for their council work on top of their MP salaries.
The Labour Party confirmed that all its MPs would step down as councillors, eventually.
