[A-List] Scotland: SSP-led tax revolt?

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Minister attacks Sheridan talk of tax revolt
TOM GORDON, Scottish Political Correspondent
The Herald, February 12 2004

ANDY Kerr, the finance minister, last night launched a scathing attack on
the Scottish Socialists after they said they were considering a mass
non-payment campaign against the council tax.

Tommy Sheridan, the SSP leader, announced on Tuesday that he and his
colleagues were looking at the idea as part of a "rebellion" they hoped to
stir up against the tax. But Mr Kerr said Mr Sheridan was "outrageously
irresponsible".

He said: "When people don't pay their council tax, it means meals on wheels
are not delivered. And when services are not delivered, it puts jobs at
risk. It's irresponsible talk, but it's typical of the man and his party."

Speaking on the eve of the annual council tax rises being published, Mr Kerr
also said councils had no justification for excessive charges, as they would
receive a real terms increase of 6.5% in 2004/05.

Rises are expected to range from 2.9% in Argyll & Bute to up to 15% in
Moray.

A spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla),
representing 31 of the country's 32 councils, said a non-payment campaign
would be counter-productive.

"It would hit council services. People didn't pay the poll tax because it
was unfair, but 91.5% of people pay council tax because they realised it is
the fairest form of local taxation."

Mr Sheridan was unrepentant. He said: "I will let the facts speak for me. Mr
Kerr defends and promotes a council tax system that hammers Scotland's army
of pensioners and low-paid workers, but pampers highly-paid individuals like
himself."

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For further details see
http://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/servicetax/sstvoice.html