DESPITE ELECTORAL THRASHING, UK'S SOCIALISTS BARREL AHEAD WITH PLAN TO TAX PEOPLE'S TRASH

BBC: Downing St stands by rubbish tax

Trials of a scheme to tax householders who throw away too much rubbish are to forge ahead, Downing Street has said.

It had been reported that Gordon Brown was planning to scrap the policy after Labour's disastrous showing in the local elections in England and Wales.

The huge losses on Thursday led to heavy criticism of the prime minister's leadership by backbenchers.

But ministers rallied round, insisting Mr Brown was the right person to lead them to the next general election.

Earlier media reports suggested Labour were about to make a series of policy adjustments.

'Wrong signals'

The so-called pay-as-you-throw scheme, which would be run by local councils, has already been scaled back and it was thought it would now be ditched altogether.

But Downing Street has insisted they are to press ahead with the trials.

• IF THEY COULD TAX THE AIR WE BREATHE, THEN THE SOCIALISTS WOULD.

• OH OH OH, THEY ARE TAXING THE AIR: IT'S CALLED CARBON TAX.

• SOCIALISTS ARE THE WORLD'S SECOND BIGGEST MENACE - RIGHT AFTER GLOBAL JIHAD.