For 350 years it has been established in the British constitution that taxes can only be levied for the crown with the consent of parliament. Ever since the Bill of Rights this principle – articulated most famously by the American revolutionaries in their call for no taxation without representation – has been core to our understanding of what it means to be a democracy.

Delaying elections, unless as a result of a national emergency, should be considered an extraordinary act

That principle is clearly being breached with the delay of local elections in 29 local authorities across England. These councils, many of them delaying elections for the second time, from May of this year can no longer be considered democratically elected. We would not consider a foreign government democratically elected once it exceeded its term limit, regardless of the circumstances of how it came to power. The same principle should apply here. There will be 250 councillors serving seven-year terms as a result of these delays, and many more serving five or six year terms.

Yet despite this, most if not all of these councils will be increasing council tax by the maximum amount allowed. They will be exercising the power, not just to levy a tax........

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