It is ironic that many Labour supporters defend Val Smith's attempted move from the city to the county councils and her call for a unitary Oxford.

Rearranging the deckchairs is all very well, but what difference will it make without a real commitment on the part of Westminster bosses to reverse a century of Labour and Conservative emasculation of local government?

Mrs Smith may portray that debate on hot issues like housing has moved to the county.

But she cannot even stand for election to the two bodies, the Regional Housing Board and the South East Assembly, that are now really calling the shots at the behest of John Prescott on these issues.

And it's inefficient as well as undemocratic. Just look at your pages.

Local government is far more called to account for the littlest thing than central government.

Imagine even discovering in the Whitehall leviathan that a few million pounds were "overspent" on Cornmarket.

Yet here, it stuck out like a sore thumb and press, public and elected representatives thought it worthwhile setting up an inquiry.

In something of a tribute to one who sadly will no longer be appearing on our local ballot papers, the late John Rose was always right about the potential for far greater accountability, efficiency and innovation through local government -- because it is closer and more accessible to the people it serves and who can see with their own eyes whether it works or not.

Jock Coats

Warden's Lodgings

Morrell Hall

Oxford