Who do you trust to run the city?

Lib Dem run Newcastle is one of only two councils in the country to have been commended for its work combating the recession.

The Lib Dem-controlled council has supported existing jobs and is helping to create new jobs in construction, retail, tourism and commerce. It is also working with business to create new manufacturing jobs in the emerging offshore energy sector on the banks of the Tyne.

At the same time, the Council has trebled the number of apprenticeships offered to local young people and is delivering initiatives within its workforce and local communities to help more people develop skills.

The Lib Dems have carefully managed the city's finances to ensure that the income is there to fund these investments and still keep Council Tax rises below inflation. Earlier this year Newcastle was commended as
one of the top five councils in the country for its sound financial management.

When the City council budget was set in March, Labour councillors failed to support a Council Tax Freeze for
Newcastle 's residents.

Their "wish list" would cost Council Tax payers at least £8 million, the equivalent of raising Council Tax by 6.79%.

However, the Lib Dems' budget adopted by the Council will save £44.1 million, largely by making things more efficient, and freeze Council Tax for Newcastle's residents this year.

Between 1997 and 2004 Labour raised Council Tax by a staggering 54%. Their election manifesto for 2011 contains a series of uncosted proposals that would mean raising Council Tax by even more.

Labour never learn - they will always prefer lavish spending over better performance, will always run out of money, and will always keep on hammering Newcastle's Council Tax payers. Do you really trust them?