Jonathan Todd

Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale at the General Election, has reminded voters that the decision made by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition on VAT betrays commitments made by both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats during the General Election campaign.

Mr Todd said:

“The decision by the Tory-Lib Dem government to increase the standard rate of VAT to 20 percent betrays commitments made by both my Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents at the General Election. The fact that Liberal Democrats campaigned against such an increase has been well-documented. It is also important to remember that the Conservative candidate in Westmorland and Lonsdale gave a “firm commitment” to the South Lakes Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) that VAT would not go up.

“Many of these small businesses will directly or indirectly benefit from the recent opening of K-Village in Kendal, which I championed during the campaign. But these businesses would be in a much stronger position if this decision on VAT had not been made.

“This increase is the last thing our economy needs in its present fragile state. It puts our economic recovery in danger.”