SUFFOLK anti-council tax campaigners are today urging others to join them in a march on Downing Street. Protest Against Council Tax Suffolk PACTS are expecting to join thousands of others on the streets of London on October 3.

SUFFOLK anti-council tax campaigners are today urging others to join them in a march on Downing Street.

Protest Against Council Tax Suffolk PACTS are expecting to join thousands of others on the streets of London on October 3.

Organised by the IsItFair campaign group for the reform of council tax the march is expected to attract thousands of protestors unhappy with the council tax system.

Chelmondiston pensioner Tom Sully is so outraged at the rising levels of the tax he is considering withholding payment of the controversial tax.

The stubborn 71-year-old former naval serviceman said: "I did not pay it all last year, they took me to court and I paid then after I had highlighted the issue.

"It is a bloody mess. It went up 18 per cent in 2002-2003, last year it was not so eye-watering but it was above inflation.

"It takes no account of ability to pay. There is no doubt the people of Suffolk are finding it quite onerous."

Mr Sully believes there should be some form of local tax, perhaps on VAT, but more based on income.

He said: "There should be some property element to the tax but at the moment it is entirely property based. It is now a major part of some people's expenditure, it is quite a chunk."

Mr Sully said PACTS are hoping to get a coachload from the county to go to the march. He said although many are pensioners involved in the campaign the tax affects everyone and people of all ages are outraged at the system.

He said: "I have never marched before but other people have got a lot to do to earn money to pay for the tax, we are going to represent those in Suffolk who aren't happy."

PACTS chairman Reg Hartles urged people to join them on the march.

"The government are not listening to what we are saying. We have to keep this issue high on the agenda.

"We should not be having any rises after the 18pc rise in 2002-2003. It is nothing more than tax increase on the ordinary person.

"This tax is grossly unfair. We must not let up, we have to keep going."

Anyone interested in finding out more about PACTS ore joining the march should contact 01473 780683.

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