I had a very interesting conversation with someone last night who I will only describe as being very close to both sides of these discussions. They said that the delays in agreeing the HoTs was entirely political with certain individuals determined to prevent this from being agrees before the planning consultation had closed and local elections held. As was mentioned on a tweet above, that enabled some to present an anti-stadium position to Kidlington and FoSB and a pro-stadium position with in Oxford and with the club.
The club saw this and their statement a few weeks back about the delays in HoTs being agreed has brought all of this into the public domain. Excellent work by
@SwissYellow and several others on here has exposed individuals and the games they were playing. As a result, there are now real splits within local parties and their councils, and the Lib Dems have seen this as a huge own goal that could ultimately cost them a parliamentary seat come the end of the year.
There have been questions raised at a very senior level about why some have put the views of a relatively tiny opposition group, prominent figures of which are already elected or standing for election for the Green Party, above the views of tens of thousands of local football supporters and even more who support progress.
They were convinced that the HoTs will be agreed, but conveniently after 22nd April and possibly after 2nd May local elections. They even said that they wouldn't have been surprised to have seen those who have been actively delaying everything to come out in support of the club between the local elections and the playoff games to completely double down or their blatant hypocrisy!
They also said that there is a lot of support from within CDC, and an element of frustration that the additional traffic modelling exercise has given an opportunity to muddy the waters a little. Traffic is the one major stumbling block, but this is far from being unsurmountable. It was also said that the club are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to smooth the way with all relevant parties. There were concerns that Niall McWilliams leaving would leave a hole in these discussions as it was something he was fantastic at. But that hole has been filled with others and indications are that positive progress is being made at all levels.
But, and this is the crucial bit. There are no guarantees on anything. So every one of us still needs to do our bit. If you haven't done so already then please register your support on the planning portal. And please continue to contact your local councillors, and proposed councillors to reiterate how your vote, locally and nationally will depend on their support for the stadium.
We are at the business end of things both on and off the pitch and we have to give out support in numbers on and off the pitch too.
Let us all Stand United and show everyone how incredible this club and our supporters really are.