THE proposals by the Liberal Democrat administration at Harrogate Borough Council to increase the Council Tax by 9.8 per cent is a lesson in how Liberal Democrats propose to run services.

In some Liberal Democrat-controlled authorities the backlash against householders is all too symptomatic of the party's approach to budget setting.

In Sheffield and Liverpool for example, where Liberal Democrats are in charge, council taxes have risen and vital public services have been cut.

The fact that the ruling Liberal Democrat administration in Harrogate has chosen to increase council taxes by nearly ten per cent is living proof of what happens under the Liberal Democrats: you pay more and get less.

Chris Jukes,

Parliamentary Spokesman,

Vale of York Labour Party,

Mitford Close,

North Lodge,

Chester-le-Street,

Durham.

Updated: 11:27 Monday, February 05, 2001