CITY of York Council is to consider holding a referendum on next year's budget. You can imagine the buzz-words marshalled to sell such an idea: it would "empower" the people and turn York citizens into "stakeholders".

In truth it would be an abdication of political responsibility.

When in opposition, Liberal Democrat councillors were fierce critics of the ruling Labour group's budget. Last year they set out a new vision for the city's future, and voters backed them.

We did our job by choosing our governors. Their job is to govern.

The Liberal Democrats' first attempt at setting a budget has not been a success. So parlous are the city's finances that the council felt compelled to introduce the evening parking charges, a decision which has "generated more anger" than any other issue in recent memory, according to a York business leader today.

It is all too plausible that the parking tax backlash stung the Lib Dems into proposing the budget referendum. If so, this is policy-making by petulance.

Such a poll is saying to the people of York: okay, if you're so clever, you balance the books. It holds out the prospect of a handy get-out clause: don't complain to the council about cutbacks, it was your choice.

Councillors should think carefully before backing a referendum. That road leads to their redundancy. If we are to make all the big decisions for them, why bother with politicians at all?

Setting a budget is a highly complex process involving careful study of a breeze block of paperwork. An expensive referendum would be too simplistic, and the questions too politicised, to yield any worthwhile results.

More consultation, yes. Doing their job for them, no. Councillors must vote against a budget referendum.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, July 29, 2004