There can be no doubt that the Liberal Democrats are planning a new Local Income Tax and a Regional Income Tax and that these would mean soaring tax bills across Wiltshire.

These proposals were outlined during the last Liberal Democrats' Party Conference in Brighton in September 2003.

At last Wednesday's district council meeting, the Lib Dems failed to convince the Conservatives and the Independents that a local income tax would ease the burden on ratepayers. I pass this warning to the residents of Wiltshire it will increase the tax burden.

Let me explain. We already know that Labour through higher National Insurance, supported by the Lib Dems, has hiked up taxes on income. Now the Lib Dems are planning this new local tax for Wiltshire and a regional income tax for the SW Region to fund regional assemblies, on top of their plans for higher rates of national income tax.

These plans are bad news for the hard-working residents of west Wiltshire. The average council tax across Wiltshire is currently set at £980 (council, district council, police, fire service and town councils combined).

Replacing it with a local income tax (not including the Regional Tax) of 5 per cent extra on pay packets and savings income would cost someone on average male full-time earnings £1,040 tax and someone on average female full-time earning £704 tax a year.

This could mean an annual combined tax bill for a typical two-earner household of £1744 a year. This couple would be £764 worse off each year, and they haven't paid the Regional Tax yet! What about the pensioners who have managed to save and receive a little income the Lib Dems will tax them.

Local Income Tax has all the disadvantages of the failed poll tax Wiltshire deserves a fair deal not higher taxes.

Cllr Brian Mudge,

Melksham