Dear Editor,

4.45.52pm GMT Wed 2nd Feb 2005

Today's front page story concerning the likely rise in Council Tax due to the revaluation of all our houses just highlights the increasing problems this horrendous tax incurs.

Hard working people and pensioners who have toiled all their lives are going to be faced with even larger bills that are in no way related to their income, but come about as a result of the popularity of the beautiful area in which we live.

Unfortunately neither Labour or the Conservatives have grasped the nettle and come up with proposals for a system that does not penalise pensioners and those on low incomes. Local Income Tax, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats, is a just and fair alternative that ensures that the principle of progressive taxation, which we all accept for national government funding, also applies to raising money for local government.

Yours sincerely,

Mike Treleaven

( Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate - Totnes Constituency)