It would be very hard to argue that Oxford does not have a case to be World Book Capital in 2014. Over the centuries, the city has been — and still is — home to world-class writers and publishers.

Oxford is awash with literary associations, from the classics of Pullman and the crime fiction of Colin Dexter to the Alice novels of Lewis Carroll and Tolkien’s Trilogy.

We have one of the most famous publishers in the world in Oxford University Press and we have the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Oxford Literary Festival has established itself as one of the best literary festivals in the country and ambitious plans are in place to create a Story Museum.

Throw into the mix one of the world’s great libraries, the Bodleian, and you have all the ingredients to meet the expectations of any visitor to the World Book Capital.

It should, however, be about much more than that.

Attainment in our state schools is not as high as we would like to see. Levels of literacy could be better.

A successful year as World Book Capital would leave a lasting legacy and that has to be in the form of improved levels of literacy in the city and a positive increase in reading.

This can be done. In the Story Museum, we already have an organisation that has been operating to this end and will continue to do so, whether or not its physical museum comes to fruition.

The World Book Capital bid is a fantastic opportunity. It has the potential to showcase Oxford and to bring many new visitors in. It can also create a great legacy, particularly for the young children of this city.

Oxford is well placed to deliver on all fronts and we urge everyone to join us in backing the bid.