So after weeks of secrecy, the Tories have revealed their budget – one that, as The Argus says (February 12), has “both eyes on the elections” in May.

After months of trying to blame Labour for the massive cuts they say they have no choice but to impose on the country, they now think it’s the right time for tax cuts.

This comes just six days after David Cameron said “we are going to make things worse by cutting taxes”.

The council tax cut will mean most households will save enough money next year for one modest takeaway meal for two.

This might be good news for the city’s curry houses, but not for those who will lose their jobs or see their services cut as a result. After three years of steadily increasing parking permit fees, the Tories now think that with just a dozen weeks to go before polling day, now is the time to reduce them, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds to the city’s fund to deal with road safety.

Does anyone really think these measures are anything but short-term vote- winners that will be swiftly reversed after May? Do the voters of Brighton and Hove really believe this is a responsible and realistic way of dealing with the £35m cuts the Tory government is imposing on the council this year alone?

As The Argus rightly points out, this is a “desperate” attempt by a failed Tory administration to cling on to power by any means and at any cost.

Councillor Warren Morgan
Labour and Co-operative, East Brighton