A history of broken promises
When first elected in 1997, New Labour pledged to reform Council Tax, which is the Poll Tax by another name.
After 11 years of inaction and turning a deaf ear to the public's complaints about its many iniquities, they have allowed the Tories to steal their thunder.
The Tories are promising a freeze on the charges for "at least two years" if they get elected next time.
Mind you, past Tory governments have taught me a few things in life. Beware a Tory bearing gifts because the ordinary man usually ends up paying for them 10 times over.
Think back to those heady early days of the Thatcher era: "Where there is discord let me bring harmony," etc.
The woman had a funny idea of harmony. The virtual end of our nation as a manufacturing base and four million on the dole!
The problem today is that many voters aren't old enough to remember those dark days.
It is the duty of those who do remember to tell them.
Jeff McCann, Hoghton, via email

Manage small firms closely in crunch
As the impact of the credit crunch continues to be felt across the country, one of the key questions for the economy is how small businesses can remain confident about their prospects.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is participating in BT's Small Business Week later this month.
This campaign is dedicated to championing the 4.3 million small enterprises in the UK.
We recommend that small businesses should maintain a meaningful dialogue with their accountants and banks. Could you switch accounts and find a better deal with a new bank? Could your current bank give you any special deals as a loyal customer?
Chase cash-flow, ensure accounts are up-to-date, and that all key financial reconciliations are completed, reviewed, and outstanding items cleared.
During these turbulent times the message for SMEs is to closely manage your business, and prepare for the economic recovery that will inevitably follow.
Wyn Mears, Director, ACCA UK

Cost of free travel overestimated
As transport adviser to the National Pensioners Convention, I refute claims from local authorities that the new free, off-peak bus travel scheme in England is costing too much money.
The real problem lies with the Government and the bus operating companies.
Local authorities receive a range of grants from central government, up to a total of £1bn, to fund concessionary travel for pensioners, but many bus companies are overcharging councils for the services they provide.
In many areas, a pensioner is classed as having travelled the entire route even if their journey is only a few stops.
As a result, costs of the new scheme have been overestimated and local authorities have started talking about having to make cuts in other services.
Yet the Government allows each local council to negotiate with each company – rather than doing it centrally. This effectively means councils are being overcharged by the bus companies.
We want to see a national scheme that is properly funded. Grants for concessionary travel should be ring-fenced to ensure the councils spend it properly and the Department for Transport should have tighter controls.
The evidence showing the benefits of offering free bus travel to those aged 60 and over includes greater independence and less social exclusion.
Peter Rayner, via email

Shaken up by recent failed chippie bid
I noticed a snippet in the LEP about plans for a new chip shop in Ribbleton being turned down.
I wholeheartedly agree with this.
The shop would inevitably have been dispensing copious amounts of salt, which has long been acknowledged as a mass murderer.
Whether this substance would have been scattered from a traditional 17-hole shaker, or the experimental, council-backed five-hole shaker, is immaterial. It's how long you shake it that counts.
Please take this letter with a pinch of the aforementioned substance. Just a pinch, mind...
Name and address supplied

Bankers criminally reckless with cash
More and more do I become incensed at the manner in which this Government is prepared to bail out banks that have been caught out by the credit crunch.
Did none of these financial wizards have a grandmother to caution them that you can only live for so long on borrowed money before it all goes pear-shaped?
Now, instead of reaping the consequences, they just get bankrolled by the taxpayer.
Businessmen always used to say the country was being held to ransom by the trade unions.
Well, the honest, hard-working trade unionist, who just wanted a decent working wage, never held the country to ransom by being criminally reckless with other people's money.
Name and address supplied

Sign up to help raise vital poppy funds
As Mayor of Preston I will be honoured to play a leading role in the remembrance service at the Cenotaph.
There could not be a more important time for the people of Preston to support this year's poppy appeal.
The ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are a reminder of the debt we owe to servicemen who are killed or wounded protecting our freedom.
There is a continuing need to raise money to support those who fought in the two world wars and the 20 or so conflicts Britain has been involved in since 1945.
Veterans of conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Aden, Northern Ireland, The Falklands and many others need our support more than ever.
I am sure the people of Preston will once again give their
support.
The Royal British Legion always needs extra poppy sellers. Volunteers can be anyone over 16 years of age. If you can help, ring The Royal British Legion on 0800 085 5924.
Coun John Swindells, Mayor of the City of Preston

Tax will rise as more people quit smoking
I write regarding the recent article by your health reporter on two local men, one from Preston and one from Chorley, who have given up smoking while another chap from Chorley is trying to do the same.
It was estimated that the trio have spent more than £200,000 on cigarettes in their lifetime.
This doesn't surprise me because one began smoking at the age of 12 and the other two had been smoking for more than 30 years.
Smoking has always been an expensive habit, mainly because of the duty on tobacco sales.
The Department of Health revealed that more than 3,600 smokers in Central Lancashire alone stubbed out the habit last year. If the rest of Britain follows this trend, how can any future chancellor drag back the revenue lost to dwindling tobacco sales?
He or she will simply increase taxation to balance the books.
Ben Warburton, Eaves Lane, Chorley

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