Taxing matters
Liberal Democrats, to the extent that it is possible, are noted for their interest in supporting higher taxes. I seem to remember a 1p tax increase would sort out education (it would not) and the highest tax rate should rise to 50% (oh dear). Now apparently they are tax cutters at the very time that the public recognises how very difficult tax cuts would be, given our fiscal imbalances.
I wonder what their supporters will think. Their brilliant ability to do well in by-elections disappeared at Henley, and at Crewe and Nantwich.
In the current climate, I fear that promising tax cuts, when the reverse trend is more believable, is not good politics. The public do not believe politicians when they promise specific tax cuts, which is understandable. Also the public knows which political party really does believe in lower taxation, and it isn’t the Liberal Democrats.
John M Ward said on July 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pm:
I am certain that it is simply that Clegg is getting a little desperate for headlines. He knows his party will never need to actually deliver anything, so making populist claims is a cheap and easy way to try to get back into the news. Otherwise the LibDems would continue to be largely (perhaps mostly) ignored.