From “Rates Control” to damage control: LGNZ backflip called out as lying political hyenas pull middle finger to ratepayers

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling out Waikato Regional Council councillors from the "Rates Control Team" who have today broken their explicit election promises to withdraw the Waikato Regional Council from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) - just months after taking their oath of office.

At todays vote, the following councillors reversed their position and voted to continue to funnel six figure sums annually into the left-wing sock puppet lobby group LGNZ:

• Chair Warren Maher
• Gary McGuire
• Ben Dunbar-Smith
• Robert Cookson
• Mich’eal Downard

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams said:

“These councillors didn’t just change their minds, they broke a clear promise they made to voters at the ballot box. The self labeled 'rates control team' ran on what they called a 'pledge' to stop ratepayer funding going to the sock-puppet lobby group, Local Government New Zealand .”

“They campaigned, took endorsements, and won votes on a commitment to quit LGNZ. Just months later, they’ve completely backtracked.”

“These lying political hyenas are exactly why trust in local politicians is so low. Saying one thing to get elected and doing another once in office is what ratepayers are fed up with.”

“Nothing material has changed at LGNZ. The same organisation and track record remain, yet these pusillanimous u-turning councillors have used flimsy excuses to walk away from their 'pledge' to voters.”

Proposed expulsion from the Taxpayers' Union

"A number of the u-turning Councillors are registered financial members of the Taxpayers' Union. But pulling the middle finger to ratepayers just six months after being elected is against everything the Taxpayers' Union stands for."

"For the first time in our 12 years, I will be recommending to the Board that those councillors be expelled from our Union for both bringing the organisation into disrepute and their clear snubbing of democratic honesty and integrity."

Under the Union's Rules, the power to expel is reserved for our Board. It has never been exercised.

"Ironically, unlike the Council - who excluded ratepayer groups from presenting to decision makers, but welcomed LGNZ with open arms - we are required to give these turncoat councillors the ability to argue their case before taking the decision," said Williams.