As the argument in Scotland rages about LIT, it seems that there is softening in England over the Local Income Tax policy.
First of all, Michael Portillo, former Conservative minister has come out in favour of LIT.
“Having thought hard about local government finance, I am convinced that an income tax supplement must be part of any equitable local tax system. I admit that earners would pay more and high earners much more, but greater social justice is not a powerful argument against it.
More importantly, raising the money in that way would enable local government to grow in scope and importance. By comparison with almost every country I know, we suffer from chronically weak local government and from central government that is too powerful. Decisions are made remotely, national policies are imposed although they are inappropriate in most localities and terrible amounts of public money get wasted.”
And now even Labour bloggers are starting to argue in favour.
And even some Greens argue for LIT.
And if English bloggers are starting to favour LIT for England, could this tempt Gordon Brown into another U-turn?
September 8, 2008 at 1:47 pm |
Don’t count on it too much! OK, I might be a member of the Labour Party, and I might be a blogger, but there’s no way that means I’m anywhere near Labour policies on this sort of thing!
September 8, 2008 at 2:02 pm |
You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I’ve spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this.