4 October 2005 [start of press release] RELEASE OF REVEREND ALFRED RIDLEY Christine Melsom, founder of the Isitfair council tax protest group issued the following statement: We are delighted that Reverend Alfred Ridley has been released and reunited with his wife and family. We regard the imposition of his 28 day sentence as draconian and vindictive. Alfred's "crime" was to protest against the relentless inflation-busting hikes in council tax by paying last year's council tax plus inflation and no more. The application of the letter of the law in such a case is shameful and has led to a surge of interest in the Isitfair campaign with many people saying that they are now even more determined to campaign for the present system of council tax to be scrapped. How many more people, disadvantaged by this regressive system of taxation, will have to suffer the indignity of a prison sentence before the Government starts to take notice? The jail sentences imposed on Reverend Alfred Ridley and more recently Sylvia Hardy have received extensive media coverage, but it's important to reiterate the underlying reason for their protest. Massive increases in council tax have had a dramatic impact on the financial situation of many people living on fixed or modest incomes. The principle reason for such people being so disadvantaged by the present system is simple - council tax liability is based on the value of your property, and not your income. The present system is illogical as there is no direct connection between the value of your property and the monthly income from which you have to pay the tax. No political party would dream of assessing income tax based on the value of your house, so why should we be saddled with a monthly tax on property which happens to be called council tax? Council tax is regressive - the less income you have, the higher the percentage of your income you have to pay in council tax. Since its introduction in 1993 council tax has risen by 121% in England, by 186% in Wales and by 101% in Scotland. Over the same period inflation was 36%. We are NOT asking for pensioners to be given special treatment - we want a fairer system for everyone, based on people's ability to pay instead of property value. Many pensioners are amongst those who are most disadvantaged, but people of all ages on fixed or modest incomes are paying a disproportionate percentage of their income in council tax under the present system. We do NOT want the introduction of special discounts for pensioners, or any extension of the council tax benefits system. The whole council tax benefits system would be redundant if the tax was related to income instead of property value. " A radical overhaul of the funding of local services should take place as a matter of urgency and property value must cease to be the basis for local taxation. Although it will take time for a new system to be agreed and implemented, that does not excuse any further inflation-busting increases. We call on the Government to ensure that no-one is required to pay an increase in their annual council tax above the rate of inflation with effect from April 2006, and until such time that property value ceases to be the basis of taxation for local services. The people at the sharp end of this iniquitous tax don't want any more delaying tactics, buck-passing or empty promises from the Government, they want urgent action! " [end of press release] For further press information, please contact: Christine Melsom on 01428-712680 or E-mail c@Isitfair.co.uk Issued by Isitfair Campaign, Headley, Hampshire GU35 8PJ NOTES TO EDITOR Isitfair is a UK-wide, non party-political campaign for the abolition of the existing property-value based system of Council Tax, and for its replacement by a fairer system based on individual ability to pay. The campaign represents people of all age groups (not only pensioners) who are unfairly affected by Council Tax. Isitfair is endorsed by The Royal British Legion. You can find more information about the Isitfair campaign at www.Isitfair.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Isitfair Campaigner to serve 28 days Today Alfred Ridley was sent to Prison for 28 days for non payment of part of his council tax. I understand that 28 days is the maximum sentence for debts of up to £1,000. The court was packed with press and supporters and overflowed into the corridor. Alfred was given one minute to make a statement and then the Magistrate granted South Northants request that Alfred should serve his sentence. The courtroom erupted, the anger was tangible. Alfred was given no private time to say goodbye to his wife, so they parted in an open courtroom. He to Woodhill Prison (category A) in Milton Keynes and Una for home. How can this man receive a sentence of 28days for an original debt of about £40 (now nearly £700) when people committing robbery, theft, assault and drunkeness often go scot free , only to roam the streets and commit the same crimes with no fitting punishment. Why should this man be picked out to receive a sentence far in excess than fitting? What they have done will not quell the population fighting for a fairer form of taxation. This section of the community will continue to fight, they will not be cowed. Today showed me that people are getting angry, people are wanting action and many more militant action. They told me clearly today that they expected their councils to listen to them, they wanted their councils to stand with them and fight the Governments policy on council tax. They made it clear that unless they did start to listen to the people who put them into county hall and district councils, those same people could just as easily put them out. A united front of voters and councils was called for time and time again. Pressure your council, write to your MP, write to all the newspapers tell them about today and how you feel. Tell them of your anger: continually. Do it tomorrow, make it a habit to write at least one letter each week. . A YEAR FROM NOW YOU MAY WISH YOU HAD DONE SOMETHING TODAY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE Isitfair CAMPAIGN FOR THE REFORM OF COUNCIL TAX For further press information please contact: Christine Melsom on 01428-712680 or E-mail c@Isitfair.co.uk