Councillor Stephen Murray writes (Council has done its best, Opinion, May 7) to congratulate the Conservative-controlled Epping Forest District Council: “I think they have done their very best to maintain essential services and to adapt to new needs, new situations and new demands.” As a Tory I think that the EFDC benefits from the membership of Councillor Murray who is prepared to take such a fair-minded view of his political opponents.

J. Alan Smith

Albany Court, Epping