LIB DEMS ABDICATE ALL RESPONSIBILITY

At last night's Budget Council it fell to the Labour Group to propose an opposition budget increase of 3.5% - below the inflation rate for this year - in the absence of any proposals from the two main so-called opposition groups - the Lib Dems and Independents.

Having seen the corpse of Island Lib Demmery twitching in the public gallery during the public question time part of the agenda, their few remaining councillors then proceeded to behave in the most appalling manner for the entire budget debate. The Tory budget proposal of 1.9% had been made by the Leader. This depends on over 7% of 'efficiencies' next year, on top of the similar cuts this year, and worrying raids on Council reserves. By doing this they produce a raft of populist initiatives.

For the Labour Group I then proposed our budget amendment, which sought to reduce efficiencies to 2.5%, in line with government targets, made a number of policy commitments, and was pitched at 3.5%. I asked all the opposition parties to join us in supporting an alternative to the Tory 'slash and raid' fiscal strategy.

When it went to the vote on our amendment only Deborah and I voted for our alternative, with 2 of the 3 Liberals present (Price and Knowles) and 1 independent (Humby) voting against, and the 4 other opposition members present abstaining (Adams, Miller, Stephens, Hancock).

On the main vote on the Tory budget this attracted the support of 1 independent (Humby), 5 against (me, Deborah, Miller, Stephens, and Adams), and 1 independent abstention (Hancock). At this vote only Henry Adams was left from the Lib Dems, as the other two had gone home early.......hopefully to contemplate their total abdication of responsiblity.

This Tory Budget is terrifying. I am prepared to accept that the Tories inherited some slack from the Liberals, which they successfully cut away last year. But to do it again is beyond belief.

That was the main item on the agenda. Two interesting points. Firstly the phalanx - yes, phalanx - of Communications & Media officers present to dish out copies of the Leader's speech when he sat down, though I never got one ! Secondly, when there was vote at the end to extend the meeting by 15 minutes, only Deborah and I from the opposition voted to stay and take our monthly opportunity to ask questions of Cabinet members in public. Why on earth will anyone ever vote for a Lib Dem again ?