THE Conservatives held their comfortable majority at South Oxfordshire District Council despite losing four seats.

The Liberal Democrat opposition, meanwhile, lost three seats.

The Tories went from 35 current seats (plus two more vacated by resignations in November) to 33 seats while the Liberal Democrats fell from seven to four. Labour increased from one councillor to four.

Lib Dem leader David Turner said he was disappointed by the result.

He said: “The Lib Dems have been punished locally for their role in the coalition nationally.”

“It is a big blow to see our neighbours in the Vale defeated, but we are a resilient lot and will bounce back.”

Ann Ducker, leader of the council for the past eight years, is now ready to head the local authority for another four-year term.

And she said she was looking forward to a close working relationship with the Tory group on neighbouring Vale of White Horse District Council, which fell to the Conservatives.

Mrs Ducker said: “We have managed to make savings by working closely with the Vale and perhaps be even more efficient now that there are two Conservative groups in charge.

“I’m delighted by the response from our supporters – we got a very positive reception on the doorstep.”

A high turnout from Tory voters choosing ‘No’ in the Alternative Vote campaign had helped the result, she said.

Labour group leader Margaret Davies said talks could now take place between Labour, the Lib Dems and Independent councillors.

She said: “We need a potent opposition and potentially there are 13 councillors who can do that.”

All Labour gains were in Didcot wards. She said: “I think we have done well in Didcot because the Conservative councillors have failed to protect the interests of the town.

“I believe this is the beginning of a resurgence locally for Labour in urban areas.”

The number of Independents rose from two to five, while the Henley Residents Group rose from one to two seats.

The turnout was 47,582, 46.7 per cent.