SO Charles Kennedy has admitted his party has no intention of delivering on their £100 off council tax promise - even if they were to be elected.

When York's Liberal Democrats were criticised for campaiging under the false promise of £100 cashback last year their excuse for not delivering was that this was a national policy. We heard the same defence when we raised the issue in debate at council.

But according to Mr Kennedy, speaking on the Today programme, it is not now a national commitment. Any votes the Lib Dems picked up using this issue were therefore won under false pretences.

The Lib Dems use of this "£100 cashback" promise has been utterly unscrupulous.

They knew they couldn't deliver it locally. They knew they couldn't deliver it nationally.

It was a tawdry slogan seeking to exploit the hopes of voters with no practical basis - the Lib Dems ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Coun Dave Merrett,

Leader of the Labour Group,

White House Gardens,

Tadcaster Road,

York.

Updated: 08:51 Monday, May 17, 2004