News from Cornwall Labour

Cornwall Labour fury at Lib Dem “Pasty Tax” leaflet

Labour campaigners Hanna Toms and Jude Robinson have today condemned Cornish Liberal Democrats, dishonest election leaflets, which claimed to oppose the “Pasty Tax”.

The Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg made it clear yesterday (Sunday 22nd April) that the tax is an official Lib Dem Policy, which he supports. He publically disowned his local candidate and party activists.

In a live television broadcast, Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg disowned Cornwall Lib Dems, who fought a recent Truro by election (and lost to the Tories) on the claim that only the Liberal Democrat candidate could ‘Stop the Tories Taxing Our Pasties’.

This has now been proven to be wholly untrue and in fact was a Lib Dem policy.

Recent changes contained in the Coalition Budget mean that VAT will be payable on all hot food which is purchased for consumption. Previously only food consumed on the premises of the supplier or certain take away foods were liable for VAT. The new proposals will cover all hot foods. It is argued that this will hit many firms in Cornwall because the “Cornish” pasty is unique to Cornwall and represents a significant part of the local economy. This will affect both jobs and the viability of many small businesses. The new Tax on hot food has been dubbed the “Pasty Tax”.

Hanna Toms, Labour party candidate said today after hearing the statement from Nick Clegg: “It’s time for the Lib Dems in Cornwall to take responsibility for what their party is doing in office, they can no longer hide behind the Tories. The truth is that Lib Dems in Cornwall have tried yet again to pull the wool over voters’ eyes and their Leader has exposed them. I hope that they will apologise to the people of Cornwall for what has proved to be a monstrous lie.

They claim to be standing up for Cornwall but the truth is this is a right wing coalition government and they are pushing through all these detrimental changes, including the:

* Charity Tax
* Granny Tax
* Church Refurbishment Tax
* Caravan Tax

“Labour is the only alternative, they are truly opposing all these measures and people should not be fooled by these dishonest leaflets.

We welcome all the former Lib Dems who want to join us in real campaigns against Coalition policy.”

Labour Cornwall Councillor Jude Robinson said: “How much longer can Lib Dems in Cornwall keep up the dishonest charade of opposition to the Tories?”

Other news from Cornwall Labour

• Cornwall Labour accuse Tory and Independent councillors of backing "new Poll Tax" - 29 January 2013
• Labour in Cornwall at South West Labour Party Regional Conference - 26 January 2013
• Cornwall's administration should admit they can't run the council and go - 16 January 2013