I am delighted that Maureen Caton, Labour councillor for Moredon, has acknowledged that the Labour 15 per cent council tax hike is both, painful and difficult to defend.

The Labour Government has starved Swindon of resources, with the SSA falling from 73 per cent in 1997, to only 68 per cent now. This shortfall in revenue is passed on to the suffering council tax payer. There are no excuses, Labour are to blame.

It is time councillors like Maureen stood up for the residents of Moredon and attacked the Labour Government for short-changing Swindon. We need strong councillors, not Labour puppets who put their party before their residents.

Dale Heenan

The Boulevard

Taw Hill, Swindon