They never talk about making the Council truly more efficient and businesslike as that is the harder option for them – much harder than forcing residents to pay more and then blaming the Government.
Reform will continue to promise the earth with absolutely no plan to deliver it, and Labour will continue to tax, tax, tax.
The clearest example of that drift is in their new policy to introduce a 100 per cent Council Tax Premium on second homes. Something we Conservatives refused to do.
We run a tight, efficient ship which is reflected in our low Council Tax. Our services are lean, well managed and responsive to local priorities.
The regeneration of our town centre is the largest project we have ever undertaken.
They promised to reduce Council Tax. They are now admitting that this won’t be possible. This was always obvious and pointed out by us at the time.
The proposals reportedly under consideration at the Treasury is for an annual percentage levy on the sale value of a house – but all existing housing wealth would be grandfathered in.
It is a Conservative answer to a problem that disproportionately hits younger voters, many of whom feel increasingly detached from a system that punishes them just for graduating.
The Conservatives have a fantastic opportunity to present a positive vision where Londoners keep more of what they earn, and spend it here in the capital.
In Taunton, the parish council precept increased by 173 per cent from £110 to £299. That is more in both percentage and nominal terms than the increase levied by the unitary authority which they sit under.
Being publicly held to account is not something the Lib Dems are keen on, and they have taken increasingly drastic action to prevent public involvement in council meetings.
Rayner’s claim that the Government’s mistakes are all the fault of the wicked Tories worked even less well than it does for Starmer.
Or will they be brave and recognise the answer is beautiful new housing?
Talking about savings is easy, realising them is harder and it’s impossible to stop incumbents pinching anything good.