Tuesday, October 10, 2006
HANSON HAS NO SUPPORT FOR RATING SYSTEM
Christopher Stalford has claimed that the government has no support amongst his constituents and the wider public for its proposed changes to the rating system. He was speaking after attending a public debate on the issue organised by the BBC and held in the Ulster Hall. Councillor Stalford called upon the government to introduce capping and ensure a proper and adequate relief system was introduced to help those most adversely affected by the changes. He also demanded that the new rates system must have enshrined at its heart the ability to pay as a major consideration when calculating people rates. There were approximately 500 people at the event.
Speaking after the meeting DUP man said:
“Firstly I would like to thank David Hanson for coming to the Ulster Hall to face my constituents from Laganbank and people from all over Ulster who are going to be affect adversely by the governments rates proposals. It took guts for the minister to face an audience of 500 people who were almost universally opposed to his proposals. Having listened to the body of opinion in the hall this evening, I hope that the minister will now act upon what he has been told and re-think his rates proposals for Northern Ireland.
I indicated throughout the meeting that I wished to speak, but unfortunately I was not called. Had I been called I would have pointed out to the minister the glaring inconsistency of approach adopted by him, when on his own personal web-page he encourages his elderly constituents to apply for relief in their council tax, whilst in his capacity as a direct rule minister in Northern Ireland he has refused to countenance the introduction of capping and has so far yet to announce the introduction of a relief package for the vulnerable in Northern Ireland, which includes the elderly population. This is the nature of direct rule – applying one system at home on the mainland, whilst treating the population of Northern Ireland with callous indifference.
The overwhelming message from the meeting tonight was that the people of Northern Ireland are demanding a fair system of rates, based upon ability to pay. Government is not offering that: until they do there will be no support whatsoever for their proposals”, said the DUP Councillor.
Speaking after the meeting DUP man said:
“Firstly I would like to thank David Hanson for coming to the Ulster Hall to face my constituents from Laganbank and people from all over Ulster who are going to be affect adversely by the governments rates proposals. It took guts for the minister to face an audience of 500 people who were almost universally opposed to his proposals. Having listened to the body of opinion in the hall this evening, I hope that the minister will now act upon what he has been told and re-think his rates proposals for Northern Ireland.
I indicated throughout the meeting that I wished to speak, but unfortunately I was not called. Had I been called I would have pointed out to the minister the glaring inconsistency of approach adopted by him, when on his own personal web-page he encourages his elderly constituents to apply for relief in their council tax, whilst in his capacity as a direct rule minister in Northern Ireland he has refused to countenance the introduction of capping and has so far yet to announce the introduction of a relief package for the vulnerable in Northern Ireland, which includes the elderly population. This is the nature of direct rule – applying one system at home on the mainland, whilst treating the population of Northern Ireland with callous indifference.
The overwhelming message from the meeting tonight was that the people of Northern Ireland are demanding a fair system of rates, based upon ability to pay. Government is not offering that: until they do there will be no support whatsoever for their proposals”, said the DUP Councillor.
# posted by Christopher Stalford @ Tuesday, October 10, 2006 
