HILLINGDON Liberal Democrats are calling on the borough's Conservative MPs, John Randall and Nick Hurd, to explain why they sat on the fence when a cash settlement for Hillingdon Council that is well below the average rise given to other councils was agreed by the House of Commons.

Both MPs abstained rather than voting against the proposal for Hillingdon Borough Council to have a rise of only 2%, while the average rise across England is 3.6%.

"The low rise in the amount of money from central government to help pay towards Hillingdon Council's costs will mean a tight year ahead for local services," said Councillor Mile Cox, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Hillingdon Borough Council. "The rise barely takes into account inflation and the additional costs of services the government requires councils to provide.

"The end result is that councils are being forced to increase council tax above inflation and cut services. It is a case of pay more and get less under Labour.

"So I find it remarkable that Messrs Randall and Hurd failed to oppose this poor deal when they are meant to be in Parliament to stand up for Hillingdon. I think they owe local residents and council tax payers an explanation.

"It seems that the Conservatives are failing to mount a strong challenge to Gordon Brown and are content to sit back and let the Labour government get on with things. The only party to vote against the Government's plans in Parliament were the Liberal Democrats."