The Conservative council leader said he believes residents may come to regret their decision as his party lost control of Cherwell District Council in the local elections.

The Tories won just three seats in the latest round of district council elections held yesterday (May 4).

16 seats or one third of the council were up for grabs.

READ MORE: Tories lose control of Cherwell as winners and losers announced

The Liberal Democrats and Labour both won five seats each, the Green party claimed two and one went to an independent candidate.

Leader of the council, Barry Wood said after the count: “I guess the losses today were in accordance with a pattern across England.

“We the Conservatives have lost control of Cherwell District Council but to be fair we only had a very narrow majority going into the election.

“Is this a disappointment? Oh yes.

 

“Will it matter to residents here? I think it will. I think there will be a difference.

“This council has been graded excellent and has first class services for a very reasonable council tax so I think local residents may not know what they have done.”

The Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Green party all hailed the result a great success.

Green candidate, Tom Beckett, claimed the previously Conservative held seat of Bicester East.

He said: “I think the most important thing about winning this seat is that we have overturned a Tory majority and it is a long held Conservative seat which makes it really indicative of the change of mood in the country.

Oxford Mail: Green Party candidate, Tom Beckett claimed Bicester East that had been held by the Conservatives

“I think the other important part of it is that it allows the Labour, Lib Dems and the Greens to form an administration and topple the majority of the Tories on Cherwell District Council.

“They have only held a majority of two seats, and this is one of the important seats which helped topple that majority.”

David Hingley, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on Cherwell District Council described the results as a ‘terrible day for the Conservatives.’

 

He said: “I think the results at Cherwell have gone really well today for the Liberal Democrats.

READ MORE: West Oxfordshire Conservatives blame party's nationwide performance for losses

“It has been a terrible day for the Conservatives, they are down by quite a number of councillors.

“We are now looking forward to what comes next but a fantastic day for the liberal democrats both here and across the region.

“All the new councillors will be looking to meet as soon as possible to discuss what we think we might like to do.

“But we haven’t made any decisions yet so I can’t tell you any more at the moment.”

Leader of the Labour group, Sean Woodcock added: “We have had a great set of results here in Banbury.

“We are really pleased. We have worked really hard throughout the year and its been very clear that the Conservatives have lost the trust of a lot of people.”