Ignoring an unprecedented demonstration by several hundred protesters representing pensioners, people with disabilities, their carers and voluntary groups, Lambeth Labour politicians pushed through care cuts and charges that are among the harshest in the capital.

As a result of their actions many long-standing voluntary organisations now face closure, sick or disabled residents will lose their ability to lead independent lives at home, and even those who have suffered from neglect or abuse will be excluded from any right to care services in New Labour Lambeth.

No wonder one objector who wrote to me referred to it as Lambeth's "Final Solution".

By the council's own estimates over 700 people will be at risk of losing existing care services.

How many will be forced into expensive care homes, hospitals or worse?

How can Labour politicians justify a 132 per cent increase in personal care charges? Or a 40 per cent increase in meals on wheels charges? Or a brand new charge of £420 a day for 24-hour care support?

Or a brand new £17.50 charge for someone to get a housebound pensioner a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk?

It wouldn't cost that much at Harrods.

Many Labour party supporters who witnessed the extraordinary scenes last Wednesday told me they were disgusted at the actions of their elected representatives who had only a few months previously voted themselves huge pay rises at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable residents in the borough.

This callous behaviour underscores a week when council services were rated the worst in London, council tax increases were the highest in London, Care in Lambeth now rates as a contradiction in terms and that this morally bankrupt Labour administration finally hit rock bottom.

COUNCILLOR BRIAN PALMER, Liberal Democrat Group chair, Lambeth