TODAY’S battle to decide Oxfordshire County Council’s next leader was too close to call last night, according to insiders.

Last night, backbench candidate Pete Handley dropped out of the election to replace outgoing leader Keith Mitchell.

Current deputy leader David Robertson, 70, and former cabinet member Ian Hudspeth, 52, are the only two candidates who have publicly declared they will fight it out for the top job.

The council’s 52 Conservative members will cast their vote tonight in a secret ballot at the group’s annual general meeting in County Hall.

The Oxford Mail asked every Tory councillor last night how they would vote, but only Maurice Billington and Neil Owen would be drawn.

Both confirmed they will be voting for Mr Hudspeth, with Mr Billington saying: “We want someone young with new ideas.”

One councillor, who did not want to be named, said: “My feeling is that it will be close. It is difficult to say who will win.

“There is a group who want to keep the council in safe old hands, and there is another group who think ‘let’s have someone new’.”

Last night, Mr Handley, 60, said he had pulled out of the race to avoid splitting votes with Mr Hudspeth.

He said: “I talked to my supporters last night and we all agreed that we want someone in place who can change things.

“Whilst I have great respect for councillor David Robertson, I and my supporters feel that some of his possible cabinet team are all rather tired and will not be able to make the changes needed to stop the cuts to services for our rate payers.

“Therefore, we will support councillor Ian Hudspeth in the leadership election. We need a younger person to take the Conservative group forward.”

Mr Hudspeth said: “It is very kind of Pete to suggest he is backing me and I appreciate his support.”

Asked if he thinks he can now win, he said: “Obviously I feel I have got things to offer, but until the count is taken we will have to wait and see.”

Mr Robertson said: “Every individual is entitled to their own point of view, but ultimately it will come down to the vote on the day.

“If people want me to be their leader I would be delighted and would be happy to take it on. But if they choose in the other direction I will give my full support – as I always have – to the leader.”

Asked how he will be voting, Mr Mitchell, who will step down on May 15, said: “I have no intention of trying to influence others by revealing my voting intentions.”

The AGM is expected to start at 5.30pm today and will consist of a one-round vote. Only 51 councillors are expected to take part, with Peter Jones pulling out due to health reasons.

A full council meeting on May 15 will see the leader voted in formally.

Conservative group secretary Stewart Lilly would not publicly confirm the names of the candidates last night.