THREE stories today highlight the dilemmas facing Oxfordshire’s public services.

Hundreds of people marched on Saturday against proposed cuts with one message: Don’t do it.

Then county council leader Keith Mitchell said: We have to do it (and saying don’t won’t make a difference).

Then charity Assisted Reading for Children shows how it has been embracing David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ initiative for years.

It has been sending volunteers into schools with the enthusiasm that often only volunteers can muster.

The results speak for themselves – it transforms the lives of young people in Oxford’s under-performing schools system.

It also shows the strong sense of public duty that runs through Oxfordshire.

Protesters may be surprised at the number who will leap at the chance to save youth and library services and enjoy putting something back into their community.

Whatever our views, we cannot let these vital facilities go to rot. To let them close to make a political point would be scandalous.

But, as we have warned before, the Big Society will be left wanting in some places and this will only widen the gap between the haves and have-nots.