Prescott Bill Protest

Published in Weston & Worle News on Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Council tax protesters are urged to make a stand on Friday, March 31, dubbed Prescott Day, by bombarding the office of the Deputy Prime Minister with their bills.

Weston Senior Citizen's Forum hopes to bring its Is It Fair campaign to the Government's attention by asking everyone to tell John Prescott what they think of the present local tax system.

People are asked to write their 'appropriate' comments across their council tax bill for 2006-7 and post them, preferably by registered post for maximum disruption, next Thursday for first class mail, or Wednesday for second class.

One copy should be sent to the Rt Hon John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU and a second copy to the forum chairman Ken Lacey at 10 Clarence Grove Road, Weston, BS23 4AQ.

The second copies will then be presented to Weston MP John Penrose, who is researching an alternative system of local taxation.

Conservative and Lib Dem councillors have also given the campaign their backing - Cllr Mike Roe spoke out against the tax at a recent meeting of pensioners and North Somerset Council executive member for finance Mike Bell said this week that he would be sending his bill to Mr Prescott.

Cllr Bell said: "Council tax bills have more than doubled since the tax was introduced in 1993 and it has got to stop."

"The Government determines the majority of funding to local councils but would prefer to keep their heads down and accept no responsibility.

"It's time we made John Prescott and his cronies sit up and take notice.

"On Friday, March 31, we can send a powerful message that the unfair council tax has got to go."