Some Tory Nerve on Taxes!

Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats - working for you, for a better future <info@surreyheathlibdems.org.uk>

Some Tory Nerve on Taxes!

October 5, 2004 12:41 PM

Surrey Heath Cllr Ian Sams has recently criticised Liberal Democrat taxation plans. When told of his remarks, Lib Dem Council Leader, David Whitcroft reacted very bluntly, to say the least!

"Cllr Sams has certainly got some nerve commenting about the Liberal Democrats and taxation!" he said.

Tax up, services cut. "Perhaps Cllr Sams should explain why he PERSONALLY supported (at the recent Extraordinary Council Meeting) the expenditure of between £30,000 and £100,000 of Surrey Heath taxpayers' money on seeking a Judicial Review into the Standards Board findings against a number of his Conservative colleagues on the Council? Fortunately for Surrey Heath residents, the Liberal Democrats and others on the Council put a stop to that.

"Once he has clarified that point, Cllr Sams should explain why his Conservative Council increased this year's Council Tax by 5.5% when the Lib Dem proposal was for 2%. He might also like to explain why his Council is sitting on massive reserves yet insists on inflation busting Tax rises EVERY YEAR.

"Finally, he might have an explanation as to why, against this background of massive tax increases, Surrey Heath Council, with its Conservative majority, is officially rated as the worst in Surrey?!"

David Whitcroft was also critical of Oliver Letwin's suggestion that a future Tory government would cut taxes.

He concluded, "Even allowing for the simple fact that there is NOT going to be a future Tory government, the suggestion that he will cut taxes supported by absolutely no information about how this is to be funded is in complete contrast to the Liberal Democrat approach which is to provide full costings for our 10 point Action Plan."