Conservatives gain county control

Oxfordshire: Live results

The Conservatives have retained a majority control of Oxfordshire County Council and gained eight new wards.

Seventy-four seats were contested at the local elections held on Thursday.

The Tories won 52 seats, compared with 44 seats in 2005. The Liberal Democrats won 10 seats, which represents a loss of five seats.

Labour won nine seats, which was a gain of one and the Green Party won three seats, two fewer than 2005. Independent Linda Atkins won a seat in Wallingford.

There were two independent councillors in 2005.

'Labour turmoil'

Council leader Keith Mitchell said the Conservative gains meant it was a "stronger" more "cohesive group", which helped with their plans to rejuvenate Abingdon.

"We've got all four Abingdon county seats now, there's a lot to do in Abingdon and we are looking forward to moving forward with the vision there," he said.

Labour lost all of their seats outside the city of Oxford. Inside the city itself they one seat from the Liberal Democrats, Headington and Marston.

Labour took three seats from the Green Party in East oxford, West central Oxford and Isis.

Labour MP for Oxford East Andrew Smith said: "Outside Oxford our vote has not fared well and I think that has reflected more the national situation.

"The turmoil in the party is not good news. My view is that the party should unite behind the prime minister who I believe is the best person to lead us through the economic situation we face and initiate constitutional renewal."

The councillors are due to vote for the leader of each party and also the leader of the council on Monday.