21st September 2006

Coun Jeremy Hilton questions why the Green party should criticise the Lib Dems for dropping their 50% tax on earnings over £100,000 (Citizen 14/09/06) (i). He need look no further than his own party conference.

Lib Dems there, including Shirley Williams and at least 9 MPs, bitterly fought to retain what has been described as their 'flagship re-distributive policy' and warned that dropping the 50p tax rate for high earners was the 'slippery slope towards more rightwing draconian policies'. Many see the tax cuts as an attempt to entice the richest voters away from the Tory Party, allowing them more disposable income without paying their fair share towards a more sustainable and just society.

Some Lib Dem taxation policies are a step in the right direction and better than others, but they have failed to look at the bigger picture. Revenue from the 50p rate was earmarked to pay for policy commitments on long term care and higher education. Now they breezily dismiss the £15 billion shortfall, proposing to find it in 'existing low priority or wasteful spending.'

The Green Party, in contrast, support a 60 per cent tax rate for incomes above 100k. Our 'green taxation' policies are part of a massive program of economic change, shifting from a carbon based to a renewables based economy. These are backed by our proposal for Domestic Tradeable Quotas for carbon, ensuring everyone plays a part in tackling climate change. For a just sustainable way forward this is the way we must go.

Cllr Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Thrupp, Stroud
Stroud District Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson

Note: 

(i) Channel 4 Fact check: "Campbell's new proposals would, on average, take more from the richest but the money would be redistributed towards those on middle incomes rather than the very poorest, who would be worse off, hit hardest by new 'green' taxes." See:
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=3303
And:
http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=3305