Council tax rebel told to pay up Time has come for grey power 13 Jul : Weary cynicism is often the first response to any new initiative that promises to improve public services by "listening more" or offers to "empower" people. Mixed views on 'senior council' 13 Jul : Plans for a "senior council" to advise on the needs and views of people over 50 have met with a mixed reception. Support pensioners in fight against tax 10 Jul : Here is a letter I sent to the Prime Minister: You are not listening Mr Brown. Appalling apathy on plight of pensioners 10 Jul : A PICTURE on June 28 reveals pensioners protesting against council tax and meagre state pensions. Council tax rebels invite PM to court 10 Jul : A pensioners' action group has called on the Prime Minister to attend a court hearing of a council tax rebel to explain the "morality and fairness" of the system. PM urged to restore pension and earnings link - now 3 Jul : New Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been urged to restore the link between the state pension and average earnings immediately.

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

Letter to Gordon Brown

 

Mr Gordon Brown M.P

Chancellor to the Exchequer

H M Treasury

1 Horse Guards Road

London SW1A 2HQ

 

2^nd June 2007

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

 

At the end of last year on the BBC  Today  programme, you very patronizingly thanked me and hundreds of others like me, for going to France in June 1944 to help make this world a better place to live. I have subsequently written further letters to you in an effort to have an informed debate on why thousands of older persons think you have no conception of what living on a pension really means, none of which have even been acknowledged

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

 

As a result of our actions all those years ago, on 27^th June, you will be taking over as Prime Minister, a job it is said you have always wanted. Your ambition will have been achieved and the financial rewards will flood in, in the shape of expenses and pension beyond most persons’ expectations.

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

 

As a result of your actions over the past ten years, on 27^th June, I shall be attending Honiton Magistrates’ Court to answer a summons as to why I have not paid my council tax in full for 2006/7. Now 82 years old, I have paid my taxes and dues all my life, paid for a private pension and saved a few pounds and was expecting to live a reasonable, untroubled life after retirement

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

 

Your ambition is about to be fulfilled, whereas I am still struggling after some 17 years to understand why I have not yet reached my goal and with little time left cannot see any hope of doing so.

 

ARE YOU LISTENING GORDON BROWN ???

 

Be a man and come down to Devon and explain to this poor old fellow where I went wrong all those years ago in helping put you where you want to be on 27^th June.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Albert Venison

President DPAF     

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Dear All

 

An up date on members having to go to court over arrears of council tax. 

They were disappointed to be on their own. Due to an internal cock up in communications, members were not informed and they did not have the usual support on the day. This was unfortunate since both Mr & Mrs Griffin have given their support at other court cases and have been at the rallies. I have apologised to them most sincerely and said that we will do our best to see that it does not happen again. They are considering the next action.

 

All the best

 

Ven/Albert.