And how can tax cuts be funded? By cutting spending.
Now, the ladies and gentlemen of the generally right leaning land of blog might point out that this is blindingly obvious (indeed, Mr Eugenides did). They might, indeed, point out that they have been saying this unheeded for some while now and they would be right.
Except, that this is not a gentleman of the generally right leaning land of blog. This is an MP. A Labour MP, no less. Step forward Denis McShane, you have seen the light (it took long enough).
Of course, if I was to be cynical, I might just suggest that this has something to do with the apparition of evaporating majorities floating past the windows of 39 Victoria Street rather than genuine concern for the tax payer, but don’t mind me…
McShane is a deeply illiberal piece of shit. So what if he wants to cut your taxes. He wants to steal your liberties and I rank the value of those many times above 1p in the £.
I agree entirely with your assessment of McShane. However, I believe it entirely reasonable to have both civil liberties and lower taxes. Nor do I believe lower taxes makes a society less caring, which is the usual cry of the left. Taxes are a necessary evil – they should be only so much as the state needs to provide essential services.
As an aside, France is generally regarded as a high tax economy, yet my tax bill there would be significantly lower than it is here.
Like many taxpayers, I object to my money being misspent by the state on quangos and “research” that discovers the blindingly obvious – oh, and yes, illiberal means of social control.
LR – don’t celebrate just yet. On “Today” this morning Mr MacShane – together with Will Hutton – was “interviewed” by Naughtie. As it turns out Mr MacShane does have some concerns about levels of expenditure (surprise surprise such concerns are not echoed by Will who made a stout defence of aid to India). However, MacShane couldn’t forbear to advocate the continuance of Labour’s redistribution fantasy by maintaining the hosing of the “poor” with money from the “rich” via benevolent governments in Westminster and (of course) Brussels. Sure, he’s afraid of losing his seat and is willing to spout anything which might save it. However, action to back up his words will be ineffective or, more likely, non-existent.
Umbongo, I’m not planning to hold my breath. This is nothing more than a cynical, mercenary stunt to show that these pieces of illiberal shit are “listening” to the voter. The self same voter they have been treating with undisguised contempt for the past… well, since as long as I can recall.