THE vote may not be until next May, but the race has already started to succeed Keith Mitchell as the leader of the Conservative group on the county council.

With a thumping majority at County Hall, whichever councillor wins the post will become Oxfordshire’s second most powerful politician after David Cameron.

When Oxfordshire County Council made the shortlist at the 2011 MJ Awards for the “most effective political team” earlier this year, their submission highlighted four Cabinet members among “a pool of future leaders”.

By the time the judges made their decision in July, one of the quartet – Ian Hudspeth – had already challenged Mr Mitchell for the leadership and been dumped onto the back benches.

At the party’s annual general meeting in May, Mr Hudspeth and Thame and Chinnor councillor Nick Carter both stood against Mr Mitchell, arguing that it was the right time to hand over a new leader, two years ahead of the next council elections.

Mr Mitchell survived with 28 of the 52 councillors’ votes, with Mr Hudspeth picking up 16 endorsements and Mr Carter winning the support of eight of his colleagues.

The two challengers are all-but-certain to stand again next May.

Mr Carter yesterday was “mulling over” whether to run.

He said: “I would not have stood last time if I did not think I would have been a very strong leader.”

The former newspaper editor and publisher said a more consensual leadership style and better communication was now needed.

He said: “Keith has been a good communicator, but he would be the first to admit that his style is not naturally a collegiate one.

“He is very much in the driving seat and the decisions, policies and actions that the council is responsible for have his stamp on them.”

Mr Carter said that coming from outside Mr Mitchell’s Cabinet would be an advantage as a leader, offering a more “enquiring” approach to running the council.

Mr Hudspeth would not commit to standing, but said any new leader would have to “maintain the core direction” of the council.

The Woodstock and Bladon councillor said: “We have a tough budget to go through, Keith has said it is ‘business as usual’ and I think it is too early to speculate on the leadership.”

And Kieron Mallon, from Banbury, also listed as having “strong political skills” in the MJ Awards document, also said it was “far too early” to show his hand.

He said: “I think there will be range of candidates and that is very healthy.”

Two younger current Cabinet members were listed among the “next generation of leaders” in the MJ Awards document.

Arash Fatemian holds the adult services brief while working full time as a strategy consultant, while mum-of-four Louise Chapman is responsible for children’s services.

And deputy leader David Robertson could also enter the running.

“I think the group will have some discussions and undoubtedly I want to listen to what they say,” the Witney East councillor said.

“I would be honoured to feel people considered me as a potential leader to follow someone like Keith.”