The leader of the Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) has said he is 'ecstatic' after winning the party's first seat on the county council.
David Henwood won the Rose Hill and Littlemore seat at the Oxfordshire County Council elections on Friday, May 2.
The party has enjoyed success on Oxford City Council, but this is the first seat they have won on the county council.
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The IOA is well known for being opposed to the controversial LTN schemes.
After the result, Mr Henwood said: “I'm ecstatic, we worked really hard and I'm very proud of the whole IOA team. We did brilliantly on the key issues that matter in OX4.
“We want the LTN scheme removed. We're going to fight for our rights, we're going to fight for Littlemore and we're going to get them removed.
“I think the First Past the Post system doesn't favour smaller groups, but that is the system we have and those are the rules we will follow.
"But I'm really proud of what we have done. We came second in many of the divisions in Oxford where we put in local candidates who understand what local issues are.
“If we don't work together, then we don't achieve anything, so there has to be compromises on both sides. We have to put our residents first and we have to fight for them.”
Another independent, Saj Malik, took the traditional Labour stronghold of Cowley.
Mr Malik, who is also an Oxford city councillor, said: “I'm very grateful to the people of Cowley who put their trust in me.
"This was a long-standing Labour seat. They have let people down and the people have seen me to represent them, so it's a great feeling.
“The county council covers a vast range of services, including youth services in Cowley, young people don't know where to go.
"There needs to be more money invested into education services, it's currently not enough. Every child matters, so this is one of my priorities.
“I will also do my best to oppose the incoming bus filters and the LTNs in the Cowley division.
"People are suffering day-to-day. Families are struggling to pay the bills. If these restrictions continue, Oxford will become inaccessible. It has to be revisited.”
He added: “When the elections are every two years, people are maybe not aware of the the city council and county council does.
"The why we have been on the doorsteps, telling people it's a bigger election which covers more services. I can't wait until the devolution comes, so there is no confusion. One council for everything is the way forward.”
IOA candidate Mark Beer was pleased with his third place finish in the Summertown and Walton Manor ward.
He said: “From a standing start 18 months ago, we came third in the staunchest Liberal Democrat and Labour stronghold. We've done phenomenally well.”
