Good on them: Olympic tax rebels

An elderly couple who are refusing to pay part of their council tax bill in protest at the cost of the Olympics said today that they are prepared to go to jail over the issue.

Tom and Rita Glenister are facing court after they refused to pay the amount they believe Londoners are being charged to cover the cost of the 2012 Games.

London taxpayers are contributing £1 billion to the £9.3 billion budget through a precept levied by the Greater London Authority.

Mr Glenister, 76, has worked out what proportion of their bill includes the precept and claims it has added £33.33 to the amount they owe.

For two years, the couple, who live in Barnet, north London, have paid all of their £2,320 annual bill except the "Olympic surcharge".

Mrs Glenister, 74, said: "It isn't the money - we can pay - but I finally thought that it is time to stick my short little legs down and say 'Up with this I will not put'.

"If everyone in England pays it then I will, but the fact that it is just Londoners paying it seems very unfair. I'm not going to run round the track, I'm not going to benefit from this 'legacy'.

"I'm not a killjoy - I think the Games are great - but I don't see why we should pay for it.

"We've tried to appeal and do things by the book but it is only by breaking the law that I've got a bit of attention.

"If they put me in jail I will be upset because I'm claustrophobic but this is a point of principle."

The couple are now due to appear before Hendon Magistrates on September 15. Mrs Glenister said they will continue to refuse to pay, but admitted: "I am worried that my husband is going to be left with a big court bill. I will appeal to Seb Coe to pay it for me - he's made millions out of the Games."

Mr Glenister is a retired civil engineer who worked on the Channel Tunnel and his wife is a former probation officer. They have one son, also called Tom.

Mrs Glenister said: "I've never had a day's unemployment, I've never had child benefit - I've never wanted to, I'm independent.

"If they put me in prison they will have to pay for me for the first time in my life."

A spokesman for Barnet Council said: "The council can confirm that Mr and Mrs Glenister have been summonsed to appear at Hendon Magistrates' Court in relation to non-payment of council tax. The council cannot provide more specific details of individuals' accounts.

"Part of the council tax is a Greater London Authority-levied precept to contribute towards the 2012 Olympics and this goes directly to the Greater London Authority.

"However, as the collecting authority, the council takes a strong approach to collecting any unpaid council tax and will use all available means to ensure that residents pay the full amount of council tax for which they are liable."

Good on them, would to God that there were more willing to stand up with them.

The 2012 Olympics is nothing more than a huge ego boost to the fragile egos of politicos and tv media whores by the million.

It will cost us all a damn lot more than the quoted 9billion or what ever fag packet maths this government has used to make a guesstimate of the costs. Watch the duplicitous shower of shit that make up our politicians shift the cost via "tax amendments" or some other eco tax or community charge ammendment so we all end up being fucked up the rear for the costs.

Gordon Brown a man who makes me so angry I could punch his lights out

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