STEVEN Bennett wonders why other local councillors weren’t at the unveiling of the plaque to commemorate people from Marston who fought and died in the Second World War (ViewPoints, October 26).

The answer is simple: we were not invited. Had I been informed, I would certainly have gone along.

Perhaps Mr Bennett should ask the organisers of the event why other local councillors were not invited to attend, rather than assume we couldn’t be bothered to turn up.

As it is, I spent Sunday afternoon conducting a street surgery in Cherwell Drive and the top end of Marston Road, taking up the issues which residents raised with me.

Having been a councillor for Marston for 14 years, I find that most of the work which makes the greatest difference to people’s lives, such as sorting out housing problems, planning issues and parking, doesn’t take place in public meetings or in front of an Oxford Mail camera lens. It takes place on the doorstep or at a desk and I do this work all year round, regardless of elections.

To rephrase Mr Bennett, you don’t have to love me to see that I care.

MARY CLARKSON (Cllr) Marston Ward Oxford City Council