The Reverend Alfred Ridley was recently released from prison after serving the draconian 28-day sentence the courts handed down to him.

Alf's "crime" was to protest against the relentless inflation-busting hikes in council tax by paying last year's council tax plus inflation and no more.

The application of the letter of the law in such a case is shameful and has led to a surge of interest in the IsItFair campaign, with many people saying they are now even more determined to campaign for the present system of council tax to be scrapped.

The jail sentences imposed on Reverend Ridley and, more recently, Sylvia Hardy have received extensive media coverage but it's important to reiterate the underlying reason for their protest.

Massive increases in council tax have had a dramatic impact on the financial situation of many people living on fixed or modest incomes.

The principle reason for such people being so disadvantaged by the present system is simple council tax liability is based on the value of your property, and not your income.

The present system is illogical because there is no direct connection between the value of your property and the monthly income from which you have to pay the tax.

No political party would dream of assessing income tax based on the value of your house, so why should we be saddled with a monthly tax on property which happens to be called council tax?

Council tax is regressive the less income you have, the higher the percentage of your income you have to pay in council tax.

same period, inflation was 36 per cent and wages and pensions have only risen in line with that.

The people at the sharp end of this iniquitous tax don't want any more delaying tactics, buck-passing or empty promises from the Government.

They want urgent action.

Stonery Road,

-Portslade