Two regular topics of discussion are the regeneration of Hastings and the Council Tax.

I have to say that I can go on for hours about these issues, so I'll try my hardest to be disciplined, and not stray too far over my word limit!

There has been a big row in the Observer over the last couple of weeks between the Conservative and Labour Parties about the money that is available to Hastings and St Leonard's for regeneration purposes. The Tories say that the Government has cut the funding, and Labour says Hastings and St Leonard's has never had it so good.

What neither Party admits to however, is that they have each been responsible over the last two Councils (at least) for failing to get the best value for the money that has been given to Hastings.

They have failed in different ways.

The Labour Party when in office was responsible for the infamous £1 million overspend on recycling and the various attempts to give away prime land in the area as part of regeneration dealings. The Tories in office have failed to exert any meaningful managerial influence over Sea Space and allowed the Council Tax to keep on rising.

The Liberal Democrats on Hastings Borough Council, under the leadership of Richard Stevens, have tried throughout to ensure that the family silver hasn't been sold by the other two parties. Only recently Richard Stevens has been fighting to settle the Council's account with the Foreshore Trust in a way that does not lose major assets, and protects the rights of local fishermen (and fisherwomen).

And then there is the Council Tax. The iniquitous Council Tax.

Readers take note that the Liberal Democrats are the only political party committed to abolishing this unfair tax. We would replace it with a local income tax based on people's ability to pay.

In my column last week I suggested that Hastings residents might be asking themselves whether or not Labour's promises can be trusted.

It would not surprise me if they are also asking themselves why, when the district has received one of the best national settlements in respect of Government funding, we still have one of the highest levels of Council Tax in the country? Not to mention why, with all the extra Government cash, we are slipping down the deprivation league tables.

The answer lies in the failure of previous Councils to manage change within the borough effectively.

I strongly believe that the Liberal Democrats are the only real alternative to the Labour-Tory consensus.

We have shown nationally and locally that we are listening to the priorities of local people and offer different solutions.

It's time for a change.

It's time for a Lib Dem Council.