Torridge and West Devon Liberal Democrats
 Local SupportFor members and supporters
Local Party Officers
|
A Fairer DealAdam Symons, Torridge District CouncillorThe question must be asked of us as politicians is ‘What are we fighting for?’ What is it that puts our careers on the line, and our beliefs in the spotlight? Well, for me, the belief that a fairer, freer and more open society will lead to benefits for us all, keeps me going. The idea that by highlighting injustices, and promoting cooperation we can help everyone to lead happier and more fulfilling lives, is one that keeps me awake sometimes at night. More importantly, I see that very injustice in the Torridge area. Having been born and brought up hear, I can see the way in which successive Government’s policies have succeeded only in keeping the area down. Successive changes to taxation and the way in which local tax is raised, have been progressively reducing the available income to Torridge residents. I will illustrate this through the issue of Income Tax. Various Governments have trumpeted the reduction of income tax rates, but for Torridge, which is a very low paid area, reducing income tax rates often provides little benefits. If you only earn £10,000 a year, a penny off income tax makes little difference. The way to help low wage areas is to increase the level at which tax kicks in, giving more money back to local economies with low wages. The same is true for Council Tax. Although the level of tax is similar to areas in places like the Midlands and South-east, the actual impacts on households is much more severe. If you only earn £20,000 as a family per year, a £1,500 Council Tax bill is quite a chunk of your earnings! So how to we change this? Well, we must continue to bang the table for a fairer deal from Government for our area. It has also been mentioned that we need to encourage people to apply for benefits where they are due – this will help to bring money into the local economy. Perhaps most importantly, we can actively drive forward our own economy, through lifting the aspirations of young people, encouraging people with skills into the area, and providing education and employment opportunities for local people. We must support the redevelopment of Bideford College, so that it provides good practical and academic opportunities. I have a vision that Torridge will also one day have a University here – one which champions the strengths of our area: farming, marine biology, renewable energy, sustainable tourism. Now that is something to aspire to!
|