tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274602978151973604.post8129785984864985383..comments2024-01-07T06:24:51.616+00:00Comments on the widow's world: Fairer Taxes: My Article for Lib Dem Voiceoneexwidowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06574357521257043728noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274602978151973604.post-22349482388965981472013-04-06T08:56:59.239+01:002013-04-06T08:56:59.239+01:00I really have a deep-seated fear, Andrew - and it ...I really have a deep-seated fear, Andrew - and it IS a fear - that at the next Gen Election the L.D.s are going to suffer 'by association' in a really big way, and we are going to be back to those days of having just half-a-dozen Lib Dem M.P.s, and most of them representing a few big, sparsely populated areas of Scotland, Wales or the West Country. I just can't see that many voters who previously voted Tory but are now turned off by any aspect of the coalition's policies and actions going to change their blue votes to yellow. I think a far more likely recipient, if not Labour, is much more likely to be (heaven help us!) UKIP than Lib Dem. I'd guess that a number of the older members of the your party have this very same real fear. I only hope I'm proved wrong.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274602978151973604.post-34116954858448677482013-04-05T17:07:36.202+01:002013-04-05T17:07:36.202+01:00Eek, I meant to say reduction in the "Top Rat...Eek, I meant to say reduction in the "Top Rate" - the Higher Rate has remained the same, of course!oneexwidowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06574357521257043728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274602978151973604.post-7250520204670245812013-04-05T17:06:56.324+01:002013-04-05T17:06:56.324+01:00Hi Ray,
The reduction in the Higher Rate - whethe...Hi Ray,<br /><br />The reduction in the Higher Rate - whether or not it has a genuine economic rationale, was a foolish move.<br /><br />That said, it is true that for all the carping by Labour, the top rate of tax now is still higher than it was for all but the last month of them being in office - whilst the treshold at the lower lend is now considerable (around 45%) higher. Have I mentioned this latter is a Lib Dem Gain? ;-p<br /><br />Party Political Broadcast over, though, the Tories are increasingly showing their true colours, especially when it comes to their language on Social Security. This will only get worse as the election approaches and UKIP remain a threat.<br /><br />As to whether we should make any pre-election promises? I think the last election, and experience since, will have taught us (and the public) a lot about coalitions. It'll be more of an issue in the election.<br /><br />All parties will have to make it clear what their key policies will be when it comes to any negotiations. As things stand if the 2015 Parliament is to be hung, a Labour led gov looks more likely but two years are a long time in politics...<br /><br />I don't think we can rule out another T/LD coalition - the policy should remain "We'll talk first to the largest party" if that is the outcome.oneexwidowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06574357521257043728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274602978151973604.post-15283396497998902592013-04-05T15:30:21.203+01:002013-04-05T15:30:21.203+01:00Not directly what you're talking about here, b...Not directly what you're talking about here, but when challenged on the cut in the top rate of income tax from 50% to 45% Cameron always trots out the response that the lowered rate will actually be bringing in more revenue for the Treasury than the higher one. That may be true, I don't know. But the timing of the move could hardly be more ill-advised. Individually high-earning tax payers MUST, almost by definition, be getting a walloping big boost in their 'take-home pay' at the same time as others have their, sometimes barely adequate, benefit income reduced. No explanation, even if true can get round that - and it gives me a new major reason why I cannot see myself ever voting Conservative (as though I needed one!). If I vote Lib Dem, as I may, it will be with a heavier heart than heretofore for this same reason, though I do hope that they give us a clear assurance that they would not go into a Tories-led coalition again. Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.com