Statement from Gordon Williams

25-Feb-04

The following was distributed by today in a reply to an HCTC supporter requesting Gordon Williams' support for the least expensive budget. In the same communication he rejected the suggestion that he was 'dithering' about how to vote.

If there is to be a genuine and informed debate may I suggest that HCTC concentrate on known facts if, as I hope, it is to become a creditable force in the future. It is my view that the Council, and the people of Harrow, would benefit from more genuine Independent Councillors, but "spin" "short term expediency" and "untrue statements" will not inspire an already apathetic electorate.

I have, however, met Stanley and Burgess, and have stated that I believe their excellent campaign, supported by the local press, has resulted in budgets for this forthcoming financial year to be much lower than originally envisaged. This, however, has far more to do with Central Government than local finances, since it not generally appreciated that the tax gathered locally is not necessarily all allocated locally. This year the Government grant to Harrow has been much more generous than hitherto, and it would be mere speculation to ascertain the reason - only our two Ministerial local M.P.'s may be able to shed light as to why this happened this year, but not last year.

The fact remains that, given the choice, everyone wants to pay less tax. And maintain, and if possible increase, services. I have every sympathy with the pensioner on a fixed income, or a young family with an income tied to the level of inflation, having to pay an ever increasing burden of taxation, both local and central. But in Harrow the electors chose, by their vote or by their apathy, the Labour party to be the party with the most seats. Although a life-long supporter of the majority of Conservative principles, and still am, I did not "declare" to become an Independent, or "defect" on a whim, but on a matter of local principle.

I am also a firm believer in the rule of law and of democracy, which I believe has served this country well in the past. I am concerned at what I perceive to have been an erosion of those principles since I was born in Pinner, and I will therefore vote with my conscience to uphold those principles, unshackled from party dogma and collective responsibility.

I hope that the HCTC and local press campaign will emphasise the importance of voting every four and five years. In my view only people who have been responsible enough to vote at election time have the right to "grumble and complain".