Sir – Adding up the votes cast in the recent county council elections, I find that in total the Conservatives got 43.5 per cent, the Lib Dems 24 per cent, Labour 14.5 per cent, Greens 13.5 per cent and others four per cent.

I believe, in the absence of figures, that only about 40 per cent of voters actually voted.

In contrast to the figures above, the Conservatives got 70 per cent of the seats, and the 56 per cent who voted for other candidates got just 30 per cent of seats. Some readers may think this is unjust.

It is, of course, a result of the first-past-the-post system, still used for most elections in England, though not in Wales, Scotland or Ireland. I consider it undemocratic, but of course it is very much to the advantage of Tory and Labour politicians.

In practice, the increased majority for the Conservatives on the county council makes very little difference.

They will continue to push through their own policies such as the removal of bus stops from Queen Street, irrespective of what Oxford people think or say.

At the pensioners’ forum in Oxford Town Hall, on June 4, we were informed that this change will happen on Sunday, July 19. The light-controlled crossing near County Hall will be abolished and replaced by a zebra crossing at the top of Castle Street.

Those present foresaw many difficulties and dangers. But I pointed out that once legally elected, the councillors do not have to take any notice of the views of those affected. We shall see . . .

M. Hugh Jones, Oxford