he Welsh Liberal Democrats have lambasted the Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies over statements made by himself and the Welsh Conservatives that Conservative Councils would “keep council tax low.
The claim has been made a number of times during the last few weeks, but the Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated the words said by the Welsh Conservatives have not been matched with action in recent years.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has pointed to Powys County Council, where the Conservatives hold the Finance Portfolio and govern the County in cooperation with Independents.
In Powys, where Andrew RT Davies made his comment yesterday, council tax has been raised by 30 percent since 2017, despite a commitment by the party to keep it low in 2017. In Conservative-controlled Monmouthshire, council tax has also risen substantially since 2018.
Commenting Jane Dodds MS said:
“Yet again we are seeing the same old false promises put out by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
“Actions speak much louder than words and if Powys is anything to go by the Conservatives are a long way away from being the party of low council tax.
“An extortionate 30 per cent rise in five years has come on the back of cuts to services, poor road maintenance and a rural school’s closure programme.
“On a national level the Conservatives have raised taxes to their highest level since the 1940s. It is utterly ridiculous that Andrew RT Davies is trying to claim they are in favour of low taxes. The public won’t be taken for fools and can see the evidence for themselves.
“Not only are the Conservative’s tax rises harming those families subject to the cost-of-living crisis, but the national insurance rise is also a serious risk to small businesses who will have to pay out also. Small businesses are employers in Wales and have already had an awful time throughout the pandemic.
“Many parts of Wales need change in May, but the evidence before us shows that change will not come from the Conservatives.”
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