MORE than a quarter of the ruling Liberal Democrats are to quit the Vale of White of Horse District Council at next month’s elections — as a Tory leader predicts the party will lose power.

All 51 seats are up for election on May 5 on the only Oxfordshire authority controlled by the Lib Dems.

The Vale has been held by the party for 16 years — but Conservatives believe they can take control as Lib Dems’ popularity suffers from the party’s role in the national coalition Government.

Nine of its 33 sitting councillors are stepping down, alongside four of the 18 Tories.

Deputy Conservative group leader Roger Cox said a Liberal Democrat councillor had told him the party would either retain the council or face “total wipeout”.

He said: “I think we are handily placed. It is a considerable change in their organisation and order of battle.”

Tory group leader Matthew Barber said: “The reaction we have had on the doorstep certainly suggests Lib Dem support is dropping off because of the party’s performance nationally as well as the performance of the Lib Dems in the Vale.

“They certainly seemed to be weakened, if you like, in the field of candidates put forward.

“We do not want to take anything for granted, but I think we are in the best position we have been for a long time.”

The Lib Dems stepping down include Abingdon members Paul Burton, Laurel Symons and Janet Morgan.

Zoe Patrick, Joyce Hutchinson, who has served for 26 years, Julia Reynolds, Terry Quinlan, Chris Wise and Jenny Shepherd are also stepping down.

Mrs Patrick, Lib Dems group leader on Oxfordshire County Council, said: “I just want to concentrate on the county, to be honest. I am happy just to be on one council.”

She added: “We are in Government and we are getting through quite a lot of policies that we would not have otherwise.”

Mrs Symons said: “I have been serving as a councillor for 16 years and it is time for other people to have a go. It is fairly demanding and I am 71 now, so it is a good idea to give up.”

The Vale council’s Lib Dem leader, Tony De Vere, said members were leaving for personal and work reasons.

He said: “Being a councillor really does require quite a lot over and above all the other things — family and work life.

“It is a demanding job and a demanding commitment, and people do not quite appreciate what we do.”

He added: “To see nine going is no bad thing. It is good for turnover and good to get new faces and new ideas.”

He said of voters’ concerns about the national party: “I am not finding on the doorstep that it is causing us any problems.”

The Parliamentary party has run into controversy over its support for massive spending cuts and trebling the cap on university tuition fees to £9,000.

Abingdon Caldecott Labour candidate Joe Ottaway said: “In the Vale elections this year, we have an unprecedented chance to do very well.

“Nationally, people are upset over promises they broke over tuition fees, VAT, and the approach to deficit reduction.

“Locally, they feel it is time for a change and a new voice for the council.”

Elections for all seats on Abingdon Town Council — all held by Lib Dems — also take place on May 5.

A national poll in January put the Conservatives at 39 per cent, Labour 43 per cent and the Liberal Democrats seven per cent. Lib Dems finished second after Labour in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election in January. But the party slipped from second to sixth behind the British National Party in the Barnsley Central by-election in March.