l We strongly disagree with county council leader Keith Mitchell (‘Protests pointless, says council leader’ Monday’s Oxford Mail) and suggest his comments are an attempt to discourage Oxfordians from exercising their legitimate right to campaign against what they believe are unjust polices.

From the Suffragettes to the poll tax rebellion, history suggests protests do indeed work.

In an article on November 15, the Financial Times contained a report with the headline ‘Protests blunt council spending axes’.

The article notes that public protests in Leeds, Brighton, Nottingham and Devon have already forced councils to reconsider their plans to cut local services and wages.

If more local groups and people get involved in the Oxford Anti-Cuts Alliance there is no reason why Oxford cannot do the same.

Dr Peter Dwyer, Joint Branch Secretary, University and College Union, Ruskin College, Walton Street, Oxford