Why didn't Paice support local councils?

10.36.06am GMT Sun 10th Feb 2008

With both East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire District Councils receiving below inflation cash settlements from the Government Liberal Democrats are asking why Jim Paice MP did not vote against this in the House of Commons.

Both councils will get just a 1% increase in Government funding for the coming year, which will inevitably mean cuts in local services and higher than inflation council tax rises.

Jonathan Chatfield the Liberal Democrats parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire said:

"It is astonishing that our local MP didn't stand up in the House of Commons to fight for a better deal for the two district councils in his constituency and his constituents.

"What's going on in the Tory party when their own MP refuses to support their own councils?

"In fact only three Conservative MPs joined Liberal Democrat MPs in opposing the below inflation cash settlement when the vote on this was taken in the House of Commons.

"The only party to vote against the council cash plans in Parliament and stand up for local residents were the Liberal Democrats."