IT is quite alarming to watch ‘local democracy’ at work. Our local councillors have been re- elected so many times they have acquired an authoritarian persona that would embarrass Hitler.

Take the Port Meadow flats fiasco. This is just the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath the water is far worse; the closing of streets for ‘fun day’ activities go ahead with no public consultation to speak of. No measures are taken to ensure that local residents are not inconvenienced. Instead, we are told in no uncertain terms that we will have to park our cars elsewhere when streets are closed, as if it were not difficult enough already to find a space for which we are obliged to pay £50 per annum.

The irony is that Oxford is full of open spaces just crying out to be used. In the recent past, college grounds were open for ‘fun day’ activities and those who were not interested could carry out their daily routine with no inconvenience.

However, the council would rather see traffic diversions, congestion and pollution, than use the hallowed grounds of the University.

The noise and inconvenience imposed by a small minority of officials who do not live in the area is really quite intolerable.

So, where is the Green Party opposition to all this mayhem?

They appear to be quite happy to carry on accepting taxpayers’ money for their allowances but when it comes to actually doing some work to stop public inconvenience and traffic pollution, they roll over and play dead rather than rock the boat.

Having to clean up after the ‘fun day’ is another matter.

Usually, posters and nylon ties are left in place for months after the event.

LAURA BARRIES, Juxon Street, Oxford