Barnet Liberal Democrats back local newspaper "Reject the Rise" campaign

9.27.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 25th Jul 2010

Cllr Jack Cohen campaigning against extravagant rises in Councillors' allowances

Barnet Liberal Democrats have backed the Times Series campaign to reject the rise in councillor allowances.

While the Conservatives may share power with their party nationally the leader of the Lib Dem group on the council has condemned the changes to pay introduced last week.

The changes will see the Tory leader of the Council receive up to £20,000 extra per year, while cabinet members stand to double their cash in what they say is a "redistribution" of the money.

The move has drawn widespread condemnation, including two Tory MPs Matthew Offord and Mike Freer who were on the council until May.

Lib Dem leader Councillor Jack Cohen said: "We absolutely back the campaign. I'm really pleased the Times Series is leading the campaign.

"They would like us all to go away but I think we need to keep up the public pressure and momentum.

"In all my time on the council I have never seen anything like this in terms of public outrage. I hope the sensible Tories will turn on their leaders and either get rid of them or make them change their minds."