WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has admitted that the Conservatives need to 'restore faith' in their party locally, following a poor performance in council elections today. 

Mr Vaizey said he was 'sad' to see hard working Tories lose their seats, as his party lost control of both South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils - the two local authorities in his constituency.

In the Vale, the Lib Dems overturned a solid majority to take control for the first time since 2011, with the Greens and Lib Dems likely to jointly run South after another significant swing away Mr Vaizey's party.

Elsewhere, the Tories held overall control of West Oxfordshire District Council. 

RESULTS IN FULL:

- Vale

- South

- West

Mr Vaizey said: "I am proud of the huge efforts made by local Conservative council candidates across the constituency standing for The Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council.

"Over the last few months they have delivered the Conservative message of strong local services to thousands of local residents." 

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He continued: "However we see today that their efforts have not translated into electoral success; The Conservatives have lost control of both Councils in my constituency and I’m sad to see hard working councillors who care deeply about their local communities lose their seats.

"We must start our efforts now to restore faith in the Conservative Party, both locally and nationally, and I look forward to working with the new councils to continue to deliver excellent services to the residents of Wantage & Didcot."