We already know that a Liberal Democrat Council in Wokingham Borough means reduced services for local people. The most recent example is the axing of some public bins and cutting collections without public consultation, and only now being subject to the proper democratic processes thanks to Conservative intervention. But we also know that a Liberal Democrat Council costs you more too.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Pauline Jorgensen writes:
You are paying more to the Council in fees, charges, and tax but in return the Council is providing fewer services. In their first year the Liberal Democrats doubled car parking charges, cut weekly household bin collections, and scrapped free caddy liners. They budgeted no increase for road maintenance which means a significant real terms cut as a result of inflation. So, what exactly are you getting for your money?
None of these cuts were in their election manifesto.
Local Liberal Democrats are following the example set by their national party.
Their Leader, Sir Ed Davey talks frequently about hard-pressed families. At the same time, his frontbench MPs are producing policy papers for their conferences saying that a Liberal Democrat Government would raise taxes that would hit normal people, not the wealthiest.
Whilst you might have been saving up to have a nice summer holiday, the Liberal Democrats want to slap an extra tax on your flight. And when winter rolls around, the Liberal Democrats want to put taxes on heating fuels which they readily admit will increase your household energy. It will be ordinary people who will feel the effects.
The Liberal Democrats’ remain committed to the £49.5 billion of tax rises in their 2019 manifesto including hiking income tax, as well as abolishing Marriage Tax Allowance – which allows couples to transfer part of their personal allowance if one person earns less than £12,570 per year. All of which will cost us more.
They’re not alone, Labour would fuel inflation with over £90 billion in uncosted spending commitments, costing households over £3,000. Labour have promised over £150 billion of spending commitments and less than £60 billion of revenue raising policies leaving taxpayers with an enormous bill or significant increases in Government borrowing. Former Labour Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said last November that Labour’s economic plans would result in ‘national debt rising year after year’.
On housing Sir Kier Starmer, promised a wholesale shake up of the planning system if he becomes the next Prime Minister including relaxing rules protecting the Greenbelt and increase in house building targets.
In July Wokingham Liberal Democrats invited Layla Moran MP, their party’s front bench spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, to their Summer party. Ms Moran supports her party’s pledge to build more houses across the country and in April made an impassioned plea for more house building on the BBC’s Question Time.
Using the example of her Oxfordshire constituency, she said that young people were putting off having children because of the lack of homes and were being forced to move away from family. However, in communications with her own residents she opposes building new houses.
Wokingham’s Liberal Democrat’s event said that, “Layla has kindly agreed to help us get Clive Jones' election campaign off to a flying start with a raffle and some wise words of advice.” Taking her advice could be ill judged. Politicians shouldn’t be saying different things to different audiences.
Yet, Wokingham Liberal Democrats say they want to reduce the numbers of new houses being built across the Borough whilst delaying action causing development by appeal as a result of their procrastination.
When it comes down to it, the Liberal Democrats will say anything to get elected – but afterwards they’ll make you pay for it.
