A noted contrast occurred the other week between the apparent ineptitude of Government-organised democracy on the one hand and local Oxford democracy on the other.

The turnout for the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner vote was a disaster, whereas, 48 hours later, the organisation for a democratic input into the reorganisation of the Rose Hill Community Centre in Oxford was astounding.

My wife and I voted in both polls.

We shall not forget the stark contrast between the deserted polling station on the Thursday (though with much gratitude to the patience of those in charge) and the sheer exuberance (and the queues to vote) in the brilliantly convivial atmosphere at the community centre just two days later.

Well done, Oxford democracy!

Ian Flintoff, Rose Hill, Oxford