County Durham Labour hit out at Reform councillors as they helped vote through the maximum possible Council Tax rise.
Labour Councillors reacted angrily as Reform councillors today (18 February) backed the leading Tory-led Coalition’s budget at County Hall, which includes a near 5% tax hike for residents and a raft of public service cuts.
The budget narrowly passed by just two votes.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Carl Marshall, Leader of the Labour Group on Durham County Council said:
“When those councillors quit the Tories, they said they were doing so to stand up for their residents. Now we see them doing exactly the opposite. Voting for a LibDem and Tory tax hike, and cuts to County Durham services.
“It’s clear that Reform and the Tories are two sides of the same coin – neither of them are willing to stand up for the people of County Durham.
“Labour voted against this Council Tax rise and missed out on having this whole sorry budget thrown out by just two votes. Had Reform voted with us and for the people, this rise could have been prevented.”