Regarding the problems described in these pages with the new waste collection system and the budget overrun, could it be that the Government’s austerity means the budget was never sufficient in the first place?

Could the unprecedented pressure of trying to provide services on unrealistic budgets have anything to do with these problems?

Are we now into witch hunts and finding scapegoats to divert attention from the real issue – a lack of proper funding?

We must decide on the level and quality of services we want and then how we’ll pay for them.

The Green Party is the only party with the courage to argue that raising substantial sums through taxes is necessary to balance the books and pay for the services we need.

Our tax policy includes a wealth tax, whereby those with assets of over £3m would pay a tax of, for example, 1.5% per year on these assets.

The security and growth of their wealth, held in property, pensions and stocks and shares is totally dependent on a stable, educated, healthy and well functioning society. It is only fair that those with most to lose if social cohesion breaks down, this top 1% of the population, should contribute more. This tax would raise over £30bn and combined with a financial transaction tax and a crackdown on tax avoidance and evasion, would fund all our essential services that have been pushed to breaking point by austerity.

The frightening prospect is that all of the parties that are likely to be in government lack either the desire or the courage to introduce meaningful taxes on the super rich or the banks.

So our services will continue to be cut and delivered on the cheap and eventually fall apart. The problems with waste collection are only the beginning.

Jane Burnet

Green Party Parliamentary Candidate

South Dorset