The recent tongue-in-cheek request from Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell, asking Oxford Mail readers to forward ideas for council expenditure savings, is nothing more than plain political showmanship.

His argument, that all is the fault of the last Government, is simply not correct.

The horrific amount of Oxford taxpayers’ cash that has been wasted on useless schemes under his stewardship is nothing less than immoral.

We have seen one fiasco after another since the introduction of the infamous Oxford Transport Strategy, and we now face an impending new policy for total gridlock. Something else to look forward to!

These ill-conceived, costly county council policies have, and are, costing us poor taxpayers millions of pounds, and precious jobs.

For Mr Mitchell to continue his support of these disastrous policies, is wrong and deeply worrying.

We have seen the refurbishment of Cornmarket go over-budget by millions, followed by more wasted money in Queen Street and Bonn Square.

We have seen the destruction of Cowley Road as an arterial bus route, pavements being torn up in the centre of Headington, road narrowing of the main arterial London Road, and the unnecessary filling-in of a subway.

This council has a long history of being incompetent and needs to be investigated by central government.

Only that will stop many more millions being thrown down the drain to satisfy the whims and ideals of an elite minority within the council.

The answers to Mr Mitchell’s requests for ideas of savings have, I would imagine, been extremely embarrassing to him. In my opinion, deservedly so.

His record as a responsible leader is woeful, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he has surrounded himself with cronies, he might no longer be riding the expenses gravy train.

If I was one of those county council employees who fear losing their jobs, I would certainly know who to point my finger at.

Richard Anderson, Wood Farm Road, Headington, Oxford