LIBERAL Democrat members of a council walked out of a meeting to determine the budget for the county today.

Buckinghamshire County Council met in its Aylesbury offices, where it discussed the 3.7 per cent rise in next year's council tax level.

But during the debate on the increase, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Mary Baldwin said she had not been given the chance to put her point across.

All 12 members of the opposition party left the council chamber in Aylesbury during the meeting, leaving Conservative members to continue alone.

Cllr Baldwin told The Bucks Free Press after the meeting she had raised a hand to speak in the debate, but said Cllr Francis Robinson, leader of the council, closed the matter before she was able to do so.

She said: “It was anti-democratic and we weren't going to take part in this farce. We don't find it acceptable in a democracy.

“I know we're going to be accused of electioneering, but we're not. We're not prepared as an opposition to accept treatment like this.

“We're there to represent and alternative view – it's our job to do so.”

She said when her party members had left the chamber, the meeting carried on with the remaining 45 Conservative members.

But Cllr Bill Chapple, deputy council leader, later said the matter was one of protocol, and no one had been trying to prevent Cllr Baldwin from making a point.

He said: "The standing orders in the county council constitution make it clear that a member may speak only once on a motion or amendment. Mrs Baldwin was allowed to speak on the amendment to the council budget and, as Liberal Democrat Leader, was given the courtesy of an untimed speech.  The chairman closed debate when Mrs Baldwin tried to speak for a second time, but not before other members of the Liberal Democrat party had spoken.

 "It is a real shame that this incident has overshadowed the very good news that we have kept council tax as low as possible while still protecting frontline service - with the proposed council tax increase of 3.9 per cent being amended to 3.7 per cent. Had Mrs Baldwin stayed she would have had ample opportunity to speak again once the amendment had been agreed."