TORIES MISREPRESENT THEIR OWN POLICY ON COUNCIL TAX

5.48.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Mar 2005

Local Conservatives have been misleading local people about their Council Tax policies, it has emerged.

Contrary to their claims in a local press release (23 March 2005), the Conservatives support revaluation.

Their Shadow Secretary of State (Caroline Spelman MP) says: "The answer to the question about revaluation is that, of course, a property-based tax must take account of changes in the value of the property" (House of Commons, 2 March 2005). The Conservative Front Bench spokesperson (Eric Pickles MP) says: "Any council tax system inevitably requires some form of revaluation" (House of Commons, 2 February 2005)

The same local press release from the Tory Candidate is also in direct contradiction of a speech made by his leader, Michael Howard, last month.

Mr Howard said: "I will give every home where the adults are sixty five and over a 50% Council Tax discount up to a maximum of £500." (Speech, 21 February 2005)

But the local Tory candidate says that the policy is "a £500 discount on council tax" (West Berkshire Conservative Press Release, 23 March 2005).

Commenting, David Rendel MP said:

"I support the complete abolition of the Council Tax - full stop.

"The Conservatives want to keep the Council Tax and they support revaluation - but they can't even get their own policy straight."

ENDS