Totnes Constituency Parliamentary Spokesperson joined Devon's Liberal Democrat M.Ps to hand in a petition to 'Scrap Council Tax' to Downing Street yesterday ( 16th. March). Over 1500 signatures collected throughout the Constituency over the last few months were added to thousands more from all over Devon.
Lib Dems on Bedford Borough Council have branded the new scheme which will turn the county's tidy tips into a permit only zone as rubbish.
Lib Dem Councillors have voted through a 10% cut in Councillors allowances. The money saved will be used to protect vital services in Shepway.
The Lib Dems have condemned Michael Howard MP for his failure to give any help to the Council's battle for a fair Government grant.
Anthony Steen has been vociferous in recent weeks in his attacks on profligate Councils and their proposed council tax rises. He is strangely silent on his party's proposals to change the system of local government finance from our patently undemocratic and unfair system which penalises pensioners and those on low incomes. This is because they have none! The present system was introduced by a Conservative Government and championed by one Michael Howard. The only proposals the Conservatives have for change are to reduce central government spending by £1.9billion which would result in a further Council Tax increase of 10%. Liberal Democrat proposals for a local income tax based on the ability to pay, make local taxation fair, have been welcomed by the general public all over the country and endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance as workable and cost effective.
Liberal Democrat M.P. Lembit Opik, the party's shadow secretary for Northern Ireland and spokesperson for Wales was warmly welcomed to and auction of promises held by Totnes Liberal Democrats at the Kingsbridge Inn, Totnes, last Friday ( March 12th.)