Dan Hannan scourge of the EU has started a new campaign following the initiative of Medway Council in their action comparing the reduction of UK Government funding of local councils and the increases of government funding to the EU budget.

Every penny saved by local council cuts is cancelled out by Brussels

One of the budgets that genuinely is being cut, in absolute terms, is the block grant given by the Treasury to local councils. With our debt now above a trillion pounds, and our deficit still growing, many local authorities face reductions of ten per cent or more in their funding.

Some are looking for economies in a spirit of national solidarity; some are wearily resigned; some are downright furious. All, though, should be able to agree that, at a time when money is tight, it is outrageous that the EU budget, uniquely, should continue to grow.

A few days ago, Medway Council passed a resolution condemning the EU budget hike, and mandating the three local MPs to vote against any increase in Britain’s contribution (see text below). The motion was supported by Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem councillors, and was voted through unanimously.

If you are a local councillor, why not move a similar resolution in your own chamber? If you’re not, why not suggest to your local councillor that he or she move one on your behalf? If you do plan to table such a motion, please let us know at the Direct Democracy website, so that we have an idea of how many resolutions are going through.

Here, meanwhile, is the text of Medway’s resolution. Thanks and congratulations to the councillors of all three parties who backed it:

The Council notes, with indignation, that whilst Medway is facing a massive 11.9% reduction in its financial settlement in 2011/12, the UK ‘s contribution to the European Union (EU) is set to rise by 60% over two years.

This Council notes that, despite the opposition of some Conservative MPs, and Labour and Conservative MEPs, it is likely that the government will agree to a further 2.9% increase in the overall EU budget.

This Council believes the EU should be treated the same as the other tiers of government and in these austere times should share responsibility, along with central and local government, for public spending reductions.  Sharing the burden would result in less severe cuts for local authorities, and give more assistance to councils to protect front line services.

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This Council therefore urges Medway’s three MPs not to support an increase in the EU budget.