Business rate

It was grabbed by Labour who used it to gerrymander large grants to Labour authorities up north.

Local authorities are in a better position to use my tax than central government. My parish of Fawley did not even need a precept, with Esso and other large companies within the parish boundaries. They built and maintained Gang Warily community centre, adult and senior football fields, cricket, five a side, the finest fitness suite in the area and other facilities such as QEII recreation ground, which they now struggle to maintain.

I suspect Southampton, given back the full business rate, would no longer have to make staff redundancies, or close essential services. Our own New Forest District Council could also reduce their precept and provide better facilities for their residents.

Alas, once central government gets its sticky fingers on your money there is no hope of getting it back. Unless we get a UKIP and Conservative coalition in 2015, I feel Labour will get in by default, joined by the few remaining Lib Dems and, with a “spend and tax” regime, we will become a Third World country.

Cllr PHILIP PEARCE-SMITH, Holbury.