Labour's plans to hand London mayor, Ken Livingstone, a ‘golden goodbye' if he loses office have been condemned by the Conservatives. They also warned taxpayers' pockets would be further hit with plans outlined in the Councillors' Commission report to extend the cash perk to local government across England to compensate Labour for losing seats in local elections. Local government insiders have hinted the recommendation made by Dame Jane Roberts in her report last month is likely to be adopted. Eric Pickles, shadow local government secretary said local residents would be ‘outraged' at Labour's unpopularity in the polls being rewarded with taxpayers' ‘hard-earned money'.
