Koowaree slams "cynical" Tory Tax Pledge

8.56.54pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 20th Feb 2005

Cllr George Koowaree with Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow minister

Ashford Liberal Democrats County Councillor George Koowaree has accused the Tory party of "cynical electioneering" in their pledge cut council tax for pensioners.

The Tory promise, announced this Sunday, is expected to cost £1.3bn. This will be paid for through 'greater efficiency savings.'

Reacting to the announcement Cllr Koowaree told assembled Liberal Democrats in Maidstone "our pledge to Axe the Council tax has been a consistent message for a number of years. The Tory announcement is simply a pre-election fillip for those most likely to vote. It does not address the fundamental flaw of the council tax system which is arbitrary and unfair."

Cllr Koowaree was speaking with Liberal Democrat delegates at Maidstone where the issue of Council Tax was a primary concern.