Now three Birmingham MPs, Sion Simon, Gisela Stewart and Lynne Jones, have declared the 20p starting rate on income tax a step too far… that’s a fair cross section of MPs, from regular rebel to usual loyalist.
While the theory goes that this will be offset by tax breaks, it is claimed the poorest will be badly hit… knowing sod all about economics, I’m not going to try to analyse it further.
They approved the budget a year ago. This belated challenge makes them look stupid, opportunistic or both.
By the way, you don’t need to be an economist to know that 2 million of potential tax credit claimants fail to claim.
From a democratic socialist standpoint, none of us should be hung up on tax administration. It’s the redistribution that matters together with the relief of poverty and achieving fair pay for all.
You can vote on the issue of real politik here:
http://www.labourhome.org/story/2008/4/8/14838/03374
Peter what an earth are you reffering to in your comment?