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Our budget vote victory
• I AM glad that my friend, Councillor Donna Boffa, is up and about again, and I wish her a speedy recovery.
But after reading her letter last week (True face of nasty party, April 17), I think readers deserve to know the truth about what happened at the council’s budget meeting. They should know why Labour was successful in getting free school meals for families, free sport classes for teenagers and a tax discount for pensioners.
When the council vote took place, Labour won by two votes because the Lib Dem deal to pass a budget with the Green Party broke down. Donna’s vote would not have been enough for the Liberal Democrats to pass their budget of tax freezes that give most to some of the wealthiest households in the country.
But since we won, the Lib Dem council has done little to publicise the council tax discount for pensioners. Many older people who live in poverty are in danger of missing out on the £100 tax discount, and that is wrong.
That is why we have written to older residents in every part of the borough – not just Donna’s ward – to let them know they may be entitled to a discount. It is just a shame we have had to do it.
I agree with Donna that it is wrong to play politics with the personal hardships and tragedies that happen in life. Let’s move on and make sure that all Islington residents – young and old – can get the benefit of this year’s council budget.
CLLR JOAN COUPLAND
Labour, St Mary’s ward
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