Massive Response to Axe the Tax Petition

Mid Sussex Liberal Democrats were campaigning amongst shoppers in Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill on Saturday morning to get rid of Council Tax and its replacement with a fair alternative based on ability to pay. Serena Tierney, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Mid Sussex , said: "In two hours nearly 500 people signed a petition in favour of for the replacement of Council Tax with a local income tax. At times people were queuing to sign the petition."

You can sign the national Axe the Tax petition on-line and learn more about the campaign and how you can help at www.axethetax.org.uk.

"Talking to people on Saturday, it is clear that virtually no-one supports this unfair and discredited tax. Last year, the state pension went up by 50 pence a week and local council tax went up by £1 a week. The poorest are hardest hit by this tax. We are campaigning to replace it with local income tax which is fair - and four times cheaper to collect."

Three-quarters of council tax payers would be better off under the Liberal Democrats' proposal. Local income tax at a rate of 3.75% would replace council tax and there would be no rise in the overall tax burden. This is part of a fully-costed programme that has been tested on the Treasury's own system.

Local supporter, Christine McLean, said:

"The current system is unfair. It is based on out-dated property valuations, rather than the ability to pay. For example, a couple of pensioners living on the state pension pay the same amount as a working couple with several times their income living in a similar house. The response from virtually everyone was that Council Tax needed to be changed to a more equitable system. One resident said that even the Poll Tax was better than what we have now and some were approaching us wanting to sign the petition without being asked!

Burgess Hill councillor, Graham Knight, said:

"The response was overwhelming. We shall be out collecting signatures again but in the mean time anyone wanting to sign the petition can do so via our website at midsussexlibdems.org.uk."

The local petition is part of a nation-wide campaign by Lib Dems to replace Council Tax with local income tax. Across the country, they are collecting signatures on a petition to be presented to John Prescott who is the Minister responsible for Council Tax. The Government is currently conducting a Balance of Funding Review in relation to council tax.