Corbyn accuses May of Surrey sweetheart tax deal

Forget WikiLeaks PMQs Wednesday had its own NickiLeaks.

"Text messages, allegedly from Tory council leader David Hodge and intended for someone in Whitehall named Nick, suggest the council was offered a "sweetheart deal" by the government. Theresa May suggested the Labour leader was using "alternative facts" for his attack - but failed to explain what deal if any had been offered to Surrey council."

January 19, we posted a report titled "TORY SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL LOOKING AT 15% COUNCIL TAX RISE." Surrey Conservative County Council had announced plans to hold a referendum as it looked at increasing Council Tax by 15%.. The council was citing much needed funding for social care as the cause of this whopping tax hike.

At PMQs Wednesday the jig was up though.

Leader of the official opposition Jeremy Corbyn, Labour, is in possession of leaked emails which appear to show a deal between the Tory council and government done to prevent the required local referendum on the proposed excessive council tax hike.

Unelected PM Theresa May, Tory, squirmed and resorted to her normal defensive modus operandi attempting to attack Corbyn personally.

She showed herself to be guilty as charged.

The mainstream media have been quick to pick up the story.

"Jeremy Corbyn stuns Theresa May with secret texts 'exposing special deal' for Tory council" reports the Daily Mirror.

Helping out Tory councils in Tory heartlands may be nothing new from this government but it may be to some voters.

February 2016 "Tory Councils In South Get Most Of £300m ‘Cushion’ From Cuts - As Labour’s Northern Heartlands Miss Out."

​Wednesday David Hodge leader of Surrey County Council has posted the following update on the Surrey website:

Statement from David Hodge Leader of Surrey County Council:
​
“Surrey’s decision not to proceed with a 15% council tax increase was ours alone and there has been no deal between Surrey County Council and the Government.

​However, I am confident that the Government now understands the real pressures in adult social care and the need for a lasting solution.”

Whether you believe Mr Hodge is up to you.

​Perhaps the email sent "inadvertently" to the wrong person will have a positive impact nationwide?

​https://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2017/02/08/statement-from-surrey-county-council-leader-following-council-tax-decision/amp/

Via Paul Waugh Twitter