Sir - I was interested to read of David Cameron's pledge to protect rural services and his proposal to introduce an advantageous tax regime for small shops.

Perhaps he should start by talking to his local councillors.

The Tory group on West Oxfordshire District Council has consistently opposed Lib Dem pressure to automatically give 100 per cent rate relief to rural post offices, village halls, theatres and museums.

The additional cost to the district council of granting relief over and above what is mandatory would be a few thousand pounds. The value to these vital community assets would be far greater. As the old saying goes "actions speak louder than words".

Stuart Brooks, Church Hanborough