Sir – So, Richard Tarver and John Tanner (past and present Labour city councillors) despair at the ‘travesty of democracy’ shown by the county council re the proposed controlled parking zone in East Oxford, do they (Letters, March 15)?

Well, they should know. For where was democracy when our local post offices were closed, our schools privatised, our leisure centres handed over to a private company, our green waste removal charged for, our area committees — which brought planning into the heart of our communities — abolished, our property sold to developers? Need I continue?

‘Toytown democracy’ eh? Well, if you lead by example . . .

Deborah Glass Woodin, Oxford