OXFORD PSEPHOLOGY
S1R,—University representation on the Oxford City Council, according to Conservative Councillor Robert Blake, is valuable because the Council mem- bers so elected are independent, undisciplined, un- predictable and unable to agree among themselves. He says that they are not responsible to the univer- sity and, as they are so seldom subject to a con- tested election, they are not responsible to anybody. These are qualities and political conditions which, by implication, Councillor Blake wants to preserve even though they do not accord with current methods of election to public bodies, but because they work.
For two or three decades there has been a working or overwhelming majority of Conservatives over Labour on the Oxford Council, frequently over both Labour and university. The city has a number of unresolved problems, some of long standing. Examples are the planning of Oxford, including the inner relief road problem, the dilapidated quarter called St. Ebbes, almost outside Councillor Blake's college gate, a great housing shortage, and the organi- sation of its schools. There are others.
Is not the need, that of solving these problems, the most important political task? What special con- tribution have university representatives made to it?
Councillor Blake is casual about the questions he discusses. He cannot get his arithmetic right. There are thirty-two Labour members, not thirty-five. He asserts, without giving evidence, that the policy of the Oxford City Labour Party over many years has urged the abolition of university representation. Or has he a rod and line over this piece of water? He implies that Labour called for a named vote over the resolution about nuclear-bomb flights, whereas it was demanded first by Conservatives.
The difficulties of local government may be due in part to the neglect or contempt with which it is treated by academics like Councillor Blake. He does not mention the principal issues the Council has to deal with; he throws about emotive words like 'caucus' which are never defined. They amuse and distract, but do not clarify or enlighten.
Why not face the problem of who is to make policy and take action in a local authority unless it be the majority political group? Why not first a concern about unresolved local problems? If uni- versity representation aids collective action towards this end it may continue. If it obstructs the attempt of an elected body of councillors towards its achieve- ment it may not.—Yot1rs faithfully,
MARCUS LOWER Leader Oxford City Council Labour Group 7 Ramsay Road, Headinglon, Oxford
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