Somerset Conservatives have accused the Liberal Democrat administration at Somerset Council of deliberately refusing to rule out a future “holiday tax” after tabling what Conservatives described as a “wrecking amendment” to a motion aimed at protecting the county’s visitor economy.
The original Conservative motion, proposed by Councillor Bob Filmer and seconded by Councillor Andy Dingwall, sought a clear commitment from Somerset Council that it “will not support, work to introduce, or apply for the implementation of, any tourist or holiday tax in Somerset.”
The motion warned that Somerset’s £1.3 billion visitor economy and thousands of local jobs could be put at risk by additional taxes on British holidaymakers.
However, before the motion could be debated, the Liberal Democrat administration tabled extensive amendments removing all opposition to a holiday tax and replacing it with procedural wording about monitoring proposals, writing letters and recognising that Somerset Council does not currently have legal powers to introduce such a levy.
The Liberal Democrat amendment did not commit Somerset Council to opposing a future holiday tax, nor did it rule out Somerset supporting one in the future through a Strategic Mayoral Authority arrangement. Instead, it focused on future assessments, monitoring impacts and warning against “speculation” about the issue.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Bob Filmer said tourism businesses across Somerset had raised “real and understandable concerns” about the potential impact of a holiday tax.
Cllr Filmer said:
“Many of these businesses are family run and already having to deal with increased government taxes, increased costs to employ staff and increased overheads such as fuel, and they cannot afford further burdens imposed locally.
“Bearing in mind that it is council policy to seek to become part of such a strategic authority, I’m sure you will understand why local businesses and visitors are seeking reassurance from the council that Somerset will not seek to introduce such a tax.”
He said the original motion was intended to provide certainty and reassurance to Somerset’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Cllr Filmer added:
“I had hoped today that the Council, by supporting this motion, would have been able to remove these worries and uncertainty, that we could have sought the backing of Somerset MPs and continue to promote Somerset as a tourist destination, thereby showing our support for all those that work in tourism and the visitor economy.”
However, he accused the Liberal Democrat administration of fundamentally changing the purpose of the motion.
Cllr Filmer said:
“Having read the proposed amendment, which involves the change of title, wholesale deletion and rewriting of the motion, resulting in a motion that bears no resemblance to the original in content or intent, I believe that is clear.
“The proposed amendment to the original motion is a wrecking amendment.
“The proposed amendment seeks to frustrate the content and spirit of the original motion and attacks the motion and its proponents.”
Following the amendment being accepted by council officers, Councillor Filmer withdrew the original motion before any debate could take place or amendments could formally be considered on the council floor.
Somerset Conservatives say the episode demonstrates that Liberal Democrats are “dancing around the issue” and refusing to clearly state whether they support ruling out a holiday tax in Somerset in future.
Somerset Conservatives say their motion would have given clear reassurance to local businesses, residents and visitors that Somerset Council would not support introducing additional taxes on British holidaymakers.
They say the Conservatives are therefore the only party clearly committed to opposing a holiday tax in Somerset and standing firmly on the side of British holidaymakers and Somerset’s tourism and hospitality industry.
