Southfields Labour

The Wandsworth Tories don’t need to double your Council Tax. It’s a political choice. “We are being asked to pay £130 million upfront to cover a shortfall of £84 million in year three. Something doesn’t add up.”

Thanks to Riverside Radio for hosting a Council Tax debate this week. 🔈 LISTEN: Why the Tories doubling your Council Tax is shocking, unnecessary - and very political

Wandworth Tories ended Access For All tonight, Britain’s best concessionary scheme. You get 50% to 100% off on sports and leisure, key council services and special days out. Access for All breaks down barriers and makes sure all residents have an equal chance to access the amazing opportunities Wandsworth creates. Every childhood can include top-class culture, playing a sport and going to the Battersea fireworks. No one has to feel like a second class citizen. 10,000 people signed up and enjoyed more than 100,000 sessions. From free gym and swim to half price weddings and pest control. It’s helped with the cost of living - and helped to heal some of the divides in Wandsworth life. Cutting it won’t save much money at all, as most of the offers are funded by smart deals with private sector partners (such as Lime, leisure operators and Go Ape). The Tories are ending Access For All because it a Labour scheme - and because they disagree with its goal of equality

WATCH: Wandsworth Tories have chosen to double your council tax. It’s outrageous. It’s stunning. People who don’t know how to run the council are panicking and making you pay the price. This increase is unfair, not necessary we oppose it - and as soon as we can Labour will scrap it. This is your choice, your decision. You own it. This is a cruel, selfish, political decision. And you’re seeking to blame everyone but yourselves. You have been dishonest. Every single figure you have quoted in this financial discussion was available before May. You had this information in front of you when you wrote your manifesto and when you spoke to voters in the election. It is absolutely wrong that you concealed your intention to double council tax. This is done with no mandate, no scrutiny. You are not putting it to a referendum of local people. This news will stun and appal local families. It’s so unnecessary. As I will explain, there is another way – our plan, backed by our record of smart financial management. And let’s not lose sight of the fact this is a product of Tory internal chaos. A leader who lasted 44 days, a new leader who caused two cabinet resignations, you lost the Trinity ward by-election and are now doubling Council Tax. Amateurs creating absolute chaos. Before I go into more detail I’d emphasise the key point: this isn’t over. This is not a done deal. We have until January. Join the campaign. Send them a message they can’t ignore

Under Labour Wandsworth had Britain’s lowest Council Tax. Tonight Wandsworth Conservatives announced Britain’s biggest ever Council Tax rise - they will double it. Sign our petition: wandsworthlabour.uk/council-…

Congratulations to Shirin Georgiani, new Labour councillor for Trinity ward. Residents voted for a great local champion, supported by the wonderful @DrRosena. Voters are clear: the Tories need to scrap their plans to double Council Tax