Lib Dem Budget - reply to Cllr Seale's letter

5.10.52pm GMT Tue 31st Jan 2006

The following letter has been sent to the Oxford Mail & Times:

Sir

I would be delighted to be able to "ride to the rescue" against the "wicked Tories" as Cllr Don Seale suggests (letters, 27th/31st January 2006). Unfortunately, with the Tories winning 58% of the Council on only 34% of the vote in May 2005, I don't think that I am able to promise that for certain!

I did, of course, hand the Tory cabinet copies of both my speeches to them about the budget - which might have given them some idea of how the Liberal Democrats are thinking on the budget . I am delighted that they have taken some of my suggestions on board and altered their draft budget accordingly. I am particularly pleased that our emphasis on care for elderly people and the youth service has led to extra money being found for both.

My group will be publishing our final suggested amendments to the Council budget a week before the Council meeting - when the actual Council papers, including the final budget, are published - and I look forward to the Tories listening favourably to, and voting for, our good ideas.

Yours faithfully

Cllr Dermot Roaf

Leader of the Opposition