Morning:
10°c
Tories boast of tax cuts with worst-ever YouTube pop video
Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor4 Feb 2008
It may be one of the worst covers of a classic pop song yet posted on YouTube.
But this version of Down Down, a No1 for Status Quo in 1975, is an off-the-wall attempt by a Tory council to promote its latest tax cut.
Hammersmith and Fulham asked its staff to give up part of a weekend to record a deliberately low-cost video with a covers band, Harry Hammersmith & The Flyovers.
The result is a deliberately cheesy 60-second film in which the assembled cast boast of bills coming "down down" while singing in various locations across the borough.
The council is proposing its second three per cent tax cut in a row, which should shave £27 from its share of average bills, currently £1,193 when the Mayor's share is taken into account.
Council leader Stephen Greenhalgh said: "Too many families are being crippled by sky-high bills and we want them to come down, down. That's why we posted our tax-cutting message on YouTube. We want to engage with as many people as possible on our budget plans for 2008/9 - particularly how you can lower tax bills and improve service." The film cost about £500 to make - half the cost of a quarter-page advert in the local newspaper - as the staff gave their time for free and the band only charged expenses.
Hammersmith and Fulham claims to have cut its communications budget by £600,000 as part of a wide-ranging package of efficiencies and privatisation.
Labour critics have accused the council of "social engineering" in the way it is cutting its workforce and changing services for the poor and needy.
But Mr Greenhalgh said: "As a council we want to focus on the services that matter to residents while continually reducing red tape and inefficiency.
When we find waste we pass that saving straight back to the taxpayer."
Frank Dixie of Harry Hammersmith & The Flyovers said: "I like a council that cuts back on unnecessary expenditure, such as advisers to politicians and glossy brochures. These seem like good efficiencies to me but the real difference is that the council is not just pocketing this money, it is handing it back to the people who matter - the taxpayers."
Reader views (4)
Shame...I rate the staff who took part though! None of our staff would have dared take part.
- Sp, Shepherds Bush, London, 05/02/2008 21:52
Report abuse
Good to know that everyone has got such a good sense of humour! The video is obviously a budget movie and looks a real laugh to do! People find something to moan about all the time, if it had been a high budget movie you would have moaned about spending taxpayers' money...what a shame there is no pleasing some people!
'Cringe-inducing pap' fantastic phrase by the way!
- Davil Sukei, London, 05/02/2008 14:28
Report abuse
As a resident of this borough, I am very happy to enjoy the decreasing council tax bills.
Do not forget that Hammersmith and Fulham used to be be a rotten borough under loonie leftwing Labour. Subsequently we had some of the highest tax rates in London to compensate for the criminal incompetence of a few individuals.
Now we have a Tory council leader, who is responsible for these tax cuts.
Services have improved across the board and considering the relatively short time in office, he has done a pretty good job in mucking out the Labour filth.
- Weddigen, London SW6, 04/02/2008 15:16
Report abuse
What an embarassment. I wonder if the staff involved in the 'video' are all members of the corporate efficiencies team who's jobs are probably secure? I bet the average H&F staff member would have to be drugged and kidnapped to be forced to take part in such cringe-inducing pap.
- Toby Hall, london, uk, 04/02/2008 13:21
Report abuse
