YOU report (Oxford Mail, February 20) the increasing prevalence of potholes in Oxfordshire’s roads. As Cllr Nimmo-Smith rightly points out, other areas of spending such as social care also need to be prioritised. In recent years, services such as social care, libraries, children’s services and bus services have all suffered serious cuts. All are valued by those who use them and all have been the subject of public protest.

It is unconvincing when Conservative-controlled councils and Conservative councillors lament the loss of public services such as these. They know very well these cuts are the inevitable result of Government-imposed austerity, which for the most part they have implemented willingly, whilst wringing their hands and shedding crocodile tears at the outcome.

Doubtless they will retort that austerity is needed in order to pay down the deficit. However, even that is not as accurate as they would like us to believe. The reality is that, instead of using savings resulting from austerity to pay down the deficit (which is what they said they would do), the Cameron and May govern- ments have used those savings to finance substantial tax cuts for large corporations and wealthy individuals. As a result the deficit is still there, and its elimination seems to be receding into the ever more distant future.

It remains as true as ever that you get what you pay for. Cuts to services, including the appalling neglect of Oxfordshire’s roads, will only come to an end when this callous, miserly and destructive Conservative Government comes to an end.

CHRIS ROBINS

Foxdown Close, Kidlington