Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, launching the local election campaign, said: "Trust the people with their own money and stop clobbering them with ever higher council tax increases."

It is clear that no-one, least of all his local councillors, listens to him. He obviously has no influence.

Your leader (Oxford Mail, February 20) talks about "squeals of protest" over the massive 13.4 per cent increase in council tax.

The county council has received one of the biggest increases in Government funding of 6.2 per cent.

You say that percentages are meaningless. I disagree. What people can pay is limited by the increase in the value of their income, less inflation.

It is obvious that big increases will burrow deep into the savings of people on fixed or low incomes. Where else is the money to come from?

I have been disappointed with media coverage of the disgraceful decision by the Conservatives and their coat-tail poodles, the Lib Dems, to force through this increase.

You report that the council, without a second thought, has found £300,000 to assist with funding the private development of the Oxford Castle site. This money was not in the budget, so where did it come from?

But my biggest criticism is of the electorate. Fewer than 30 per cent bother to vote in local elections. Have we lost faith and interest in our democratic process?

ALAN LESTER

Northcourt Road

Abingdon