We are asked to “join the conversation” when it comes to Sutton’s Future and the cutting of green waste collection, children’s centres and theatres, but when it comes to the means to pay for services, ie council tax, the Liberal Democrat council believe it knows best.

A council tax rise of 1.99 per cent is just a whisker off 2 per cent and the trigger by which the council has to formally ask permission through a referendum.

It is disappointing then, and deeply cynical, to see the council stopping 0.01 per cent short of asking the people of Sutton what they think.

We are seeing councils across London cut to the bone thanks to the austerity programme unleashed by this Lib Dem and Tory Government, and Sutton is no exception.

People care deeply about their local services and recognise a rise in council tax would go some way toward paying for them.

So why will Sutton Council not put this matter to the people?

Let the people of Sutton decide for themselves if they want a 3, 4 or 5 per cent rise.

This is real localism, real democracy and not some phoney “conversation”.

ROSS HEMINGWAY
Green Party parliamentary candidate for Carshalton and Wallington Metcalfe Avenue Carshalton