LibDems Call on MPs to Explain Failure to Oppose Poor Deal for Milton Keynes

8.00.00pm GMT Sun 10th Feb 2008

"The low increase in the amount of money from central government to help pay towards Milton Keynes' costs will mean a tight year ahead for local services," said Sam Crooks, Liberal Democrat Cabinet member responsible for finance. "The rise barely takes into account inflation and the additional costs of many services the government requires councils to provide, especially services for older people.

"The end result is that councils are being forced either to increase council tax above inflation or to cut services. The Liberal Democrat Council in Milton Keynes has always been committed to keeping council tax increases to no more than inflation, because people on low fixed incomes cannot afford to pay more council tax year after year. The inadequate settlement that we have received means that cuts in services are inevitable if we don't choose to make local residents pay more tax. Under this Labour Government you have a choice of forcing poorer people to pay ever more council tax, or to cut the services they get from their local council. It's just not fair."

Mark Lancaster did not vote against the proposal for Milton Keynes to have an increase in government grant of 5.9%, which is higher than many other authorities, but still not high enough to prevent cuts in local services. Did he abstain along with his Conservative colleagues? Perhaps he was absent from the House of Commons for this important vote?

Jill Hope, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Milton Keynes North, commented: "I find it remarkable that Mark Lancaster failed to oppose this poor deal and failed to make a stand for Milton Keynes, especially when he says that he places the interest of his constituents above party politics. Local residents and council tax payers are owed an explanation. Perhaps he was absent on that day for some reason, but if he had been there, would he have had the courage to stand up for the people of Milton Keynes?

"It seems that the Conservatives are failing to mount a strong challenge to the Labour Government, and are content to sit back and let Gordon Brown's Government get on with things. The only party to vote against the council cash plans in Parliament and stand up for local residents was the Liberal Democrats."