I WAS interested to read Peter Wilkinson ranting about the Labour Party and Rose Hill (Oxford Mail, May 7).

I presume the letter was submitted in the hope it might make it into the paper before the elections.

What Mr Wilkinson perhaps should have mentioned is that he had a Liberal Democrat stake in his garden, a poster in his window, and is a close relation of a Liberal Democrat councillor, so rather than writing as an independent-minded, community-spirited figure, he was writing as a political opponent of the Labour Party.

The dismal failure of the Lib Dems probably explains Mr Wilkinson’s pre-election desperation.

I’ve been lucky enough to represent Rose Hill on the council for eight years, with first Bill Buckingham and then Antonia Bance. I’m proud of what’s been achieved – getting families out of dilapidated housing and into new homes, and removing the blight of derelict housing from the estate is more important than Mr Wilkinson credits.

People tell me they feel safer due to the street wardens and PCSOs, both introduced by Labour. I like seeing kids using the street sport site and floodlit football pitch, and the new play equipment. And I’m glad the advice centre has found a new, and better home.

But we all know Rose Hill needs more investment, and that’s what Oxford Labour will be pushing for – with actual deeds, not unpleasant letters in the local paper.

Ed Turner, Oxford City Councillor, Rose Hill and Iffley Ward, Oxford