In May, Victoria Prentis became Oxfordshire’s newest MP for Banbury, while in Oxford West and Abingdon Nicola Blackwood was returned to Parliament with a much-increased majority. Luke Sproule and Matt Oliver travelled to Westminster to find out how they have been adjusting to life since the election

There was only one General Election result in Oxfordshire many thought would be too close to call on May 7.

The race between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats for the Oxford West and Abingdon seat came down to just 176 votes in 2010, making it one of 2015’s marginal constituencies.

The battle for voters’ hearts and minds drew out the big guns, from former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

Even Nicola Blackwood MP – who was returned to Parliament with a majority of almost 10,000 – admits she was fraught with doubt on polling day.

“I had a very small majority, so it was a long night and at one point I really thought I’d lost,” she said.

“Everyone was telling me it would be fine but I couldn’t believe them.

“When they announced the result, it was a very touching moment. I had all my friends and family with me, so it was great.”

The 35-year-old – who has been tipped in the past for junior ministerial roles but missed out so far – has now returned to the House of Commons and commands a bigger majority than four secretaries of state.

In a vote of confidence from other MPs, she has also won her first committee chairmanship by popular ballot.

At the first meeting of this parliament’s Science and Technology Select Committee, Miss Blackwood wasted no time in launching a fresh inquiry into the science budget and grilling the new Minister for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson.

Despite repeated questioning, the minister refused to be drawn on whether the budget would continue to be ring-fenced ahead of Chancellor George Osborne’s £20bn spending review.

It was just the first of many exchanges that will test Miss Blackwood and her committee’s ability to scrutinise the Government.

The MP, born to a nurse and a cardiologist and a resident of Summertown, Oxford, said she sought the role because of Oxfordshire’s booming science industry, focused at hotspots in the city, Harwell and Culham.

She said: “I’m a musician, but I was brought up in a family that believed science and engineering has shaped the world as we know it today and the decisions we make now about it will affect generations to come.

“Not funding the right research will have a very damaging affect.”

While her committee duties are sure to be time-consuming, Miss Blackwood insists they will not overshadow her campaigning on issues such as flood defences and a new diamond junction for the A34 at Abingdon.

She said: “Coming back for a second term, I’ve found I just want to carry on doing what I was doing before but now there is more of a mandate.

“I just want to keep doing my job, except now maybe there is less pressure to do the photo opportunities.”