03/05/13…..Conservatives get a bloody nose in Oxfordshire

THE Conservative party has failed to hold on to overall control of Oxfordshire County Council – by just one seat.

The Conservatives needed to win 32 out of the 63 seats available on the council to maintain control over the council.

The outcome went right to wire, as the count for Sutton Courtenay and Marcham was eagerly awaited, finally going to the Liberal Democrats.

The Conservatives had been in power in Oxfordshire since 2009. The horse-trading will now begin as the Conservatives talk to other political groupings to determine who will share power with them.

The other parties between them have 32 seats, Labour – 15, Lib Dems 11, Greens have 2 and Others have 4 seats. The Conservatives have 31.