Cameron’s agent protests against library closure

Here's a turn-up for the books: David Cameron's own constituency agent in Witney, Oxfordshire, has joined the local protest against cuts in library funding in the county - a direct result of the coaliton's massive savings drive.

Barry Norton, who is also leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, turned out on Saturday with 200 other locals to call on Oxfordshire County Council not to cut all funding to the library in North Leigh, a village just outside Witney.

"I've used this facility for more than 50 years," Norton told his local paper, the Witney Gazette, "and I'm very happy to add my support to keep the libraries open.

"I well understand the problems faced by the county council, nevertheless I have asked them to look again at their budgets and find the money needed to protect the library service, which plays a vital role in a modern, civilised society."

Norton warned it will be "very difficult" to re-open the library if it closes. It is one of 20 out of 43 county libraries destined to be closed if volunteers cannot be found to run them.

The news comes the week after Cameron said: "I would hope that no libraries would need to close, but this is a matter for the county council, and I do know that they are working with our communities to find the best way forward for all our libraries."

Norton's protest will be about as welcome in Downing Street as the "congratulations" from Marine Le Pen, newly elected leader of the ultra-right National Front, on the Prime Minister's comments last weekend about the failures of multiculturalism.

Le Pen, who has just taken over from her father as head of the NF, claimed Cameron had effectively endorsed her party's policies, adding: "I sense an evolution at European level, even in classic governments. I can only congratulate him."

A Tory spokesman told the Daily Telegraph: "She has clearly failed to understand the Prime Minister's speech."

Finding an answer to Barry Norton's library complaint will not be so easy. ·