Labour’s Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, has reportedly given the green light to a 10% council tax rise – an increase that may hit the pockets of hardworking people across Medway at the worst possible time. This move isn’t just shocking; it’s a direct betrayal of Sir Keir Starmer’s own pledge of “not a penny more” on council tax prior to the last General Election.
Remember the promise? Starmer made it loud and clear: Labour would not raise council tax. Today, we see the reality is worlds apart from that hollow pledge—leaving many families facing tough financial choices while local services still don’t see the improvements they deserve.
Key Points
- Broken Pledge: Starmer said “not a penny more” before the election, but now his own party is approving double-digit council tax rises.
- Impact on Medway: A 10% rise might not sound like much to those in Westminster, but for Medway residents it’s an increase that can make or break household budgets.
- Labour’s Financial Legacy: Under Labour stewardship, councils across the country have been saddled with high spending, often without clear benefits to the local communities that foot the bill.
Reform UK’s Stance
- Transparency: We demand an honest breakdown of why an eye-watering 10% is needed, and exactly how the extra money will be spent.
- Efficiency: Before any tax hike, councils must prove they’ve made every effort to find cost savings in bureaucracy, administration, and mismanagement.
- Accountability: We will not sit back while Labour politicians make promises to win votes, only to tear them up once in power.
The Bottom Line
This council tax increase represents everything that’s wrong with Labour’s approach: big talk, broken promises, and zero accountability. Here in Medway, we must stand up for local residents—because 10% isn’t just a figure on a spreadsheet, it’s real money out of real people’s pockets.
Reform UK will continue to challenge this decision, to hold Labour to account, and to demand better for Medway. It’s time for honest, responsible governance that truly respects the taxpayer.
Join us in calling on Labour to keep their word—and for Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer to remember who’s really footing the bill.