Sir - I was disappointed to read Councillor Tony Brett's attack on the Independent Working Class Association (Oxford Mail, August 3).

While I respect him as my fellow councillor in Holywell Ward, I cannot agree with his assessment of the IWCA's motion on OAP housing, or of their politics generally. He focuses on one sentence of the IWCA's motion, ignoring the importance of the issue as a whole.

Elderly people housed by the council across Oxford are encountering antisocial behaviour, and it is a serious problem which needs to be dealt with now.

While I would never maintain that the problem comes entirely from drug abusers or those with disruptive mental health problems, the problem exists and it could be alleviated by reinstating specialist blocks of housing for elderly people.

This does not have to mean isolation from the rest of the community - merely safety in their own homes.

However, rather than acknowledging the need to act, the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups choose to score cheap political points from the IWCA, while promising yet another 'review'.

Anyone who has spoken to Councillors Stuart Craft or Claire Kent would be aware that their motion was put with the best of intentions, yet we have to suffer from the pontification of the Liberal Democrat and Labour groups while nothing is done.

Their inaction is the real scandal.

As for Mr Brett's insinuation that the IWCA are making up the problems that exist on Oxford's estates for political gain, it is this sort of complacency that has led to the mess the city council is in.

The fact is that only the 'alternative' political parties are really representing the vulnerable people of this city.

I am glad that there are enough of us to challenge the main parties in Oxford - long may it continue!

Matt Sellwood

(Councillor)

Deputy Leader

Green Group

Oxford City Council