Local Income Tax

12.42.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Aug 2008

Axe the Tax

Today's Guardian speculates that the Liberal Democrats are tinkering with the current Council Tax rather than straight forward scrapping in favour of a local income tax:

According to the Guardian Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman, is backing the shift in stance. He believes the party should not look to introduce, or press any coalition partners to introduce, a local income tax for at least one parliament. The shift would make the proposal a medium-term goal and serve to lift media focus on the uncertain implications for individual taxpayers during an election campaign.

Vince however in a statement issued this morning said "The Liberal Democrats remain committed to scrapping the unfair Council Tax and we remain committed to introducing a Local Income Tax, based on the ability to pay and this will be a manifesto commitment. I will be working with my colleagues on how these policies can be implemented most effectively."

I hope this clarifies things, but I fear there are moves in the background to get ride of this policy - if this is the case I will be fighting them. I believe Local Income Tax is actually a good policy and whats more is a good campaign and sets us apart from the others.