Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has given his blessing to Nick Clegg's divisive tax proposals.But, speaking at a fringe event in Bournemouth, he also warned against "betting the farm" on key political decisions without complete certainty from those making them. Sir Menzies' comments came one hour before the party conference began debating proposals to fundamentally shift the party's values towards tax cuts and efficiency savings. He answered a question on judgment in politics with a reference to the six Liberal MPs whose support for membership of the European Economic Community decided the issue in the 1950. "You can sometimes manufacture these occasions; sometimes they fall into your lap. But when you do it you have to realise you are betting the farm on making sure your judgment is correct," he said. His comments followed those of Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University, who warned the party was taking "a bit of a gamble" in changing its stance on taxation. "Simply changing policy on its own is not enough – you have to sell it. That's why this is a gamble," he said. Prof Curtice also warned that the party's emphasis on tax cuts, redistribution of tax breaks and redistribution of public spending meant it was in danger of sending "mixed messages" to voters. Sir Menzies denied the suggestion that the taxation policy was a radical departure, however. Concluding, he said: "There are a very large number of people… who are really finding it very, very difficult to make ends meet. The tragedy is that these are the people who put their faith in the Labour government. "Some of these were 10p tax cut payers and others are people who for various reasons do not qualify for one kind of benefit or another. "That's why the tax proposals which are to be debated this afternoon are right in principle and right in practice and that's why I shall be voting for them." The fringe audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Campbell backs Clegg over tax proposals
Campbell backs Clegg over tax proposals - politics.co.uk
Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has given his blessing to Nick Clegg's divisive tax proposals.But, speaking at a fringe event in Bournemouth, he also warned against "betting the farm" on key political decisions without complete certainty from those making them. Sir Menzies' comments came one hour before the party conference began debating proposals to fundamentally shift the party's values towards tax cuts and efficiency savings. He answered a question on judgment in politics with a reference to the six Liberal MPs whose support for membership of the European Economic Community decided the issue in the 1950. "You can sometimes manufacture these occasions; sometimes they fall into your lap. But when you do it you have to realise you are betting the farm on making sure your judgment is correct," he said. His comments followed those of Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University, who warned the party was taking "a bit of a gamble" in changing its stance on taxation. "Simply changing policy on its own is not enough – you have to sell it. That's why this is a gamble," he said. Prof Curtice also warned that the party's emphasis on tax cuts, redistribution of tax breaks and redistribution of public spending meant it was in danger of sending "mixed messages" to voters. Sir Menzies denied the suggestion that the taxation policy was a radical departure, however. Concluding, he said: "There are a very large number of people… who are really finding it very, very difficult to make ends meet. The tragedy is that these are the people who put their faith in the Labour government. "Some of these were 10p tax cut payers and others are people who for various reasons do not qualify for one kind of benefit or another. "That's why the tax proposals which are to be debated this afternoon are right in principle and right in practice and that's why I shall be voting for them." The fringe audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
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Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has given his blessing to Nick Clegg's divisive tax proposals.But, speaking at a fringe event in Bournemouth, he also warned against "betting the farm" on key political decisions without complete certainty from those making them. Sir Menzies' comments came one hour before the party conference began debating proposals to fundamentally shift the party's values towards tax cuts and efficiency savings. He answered a question on judgment in politics with a reference to the six Liberal MPs whose support for membership of the European Economic Community decided the issue in the 1950. "You can sometimes manufacture these occasions; sometimes they fall into your lap. But when you do it you have to realise you are betting the farm on making sure your judgment is correct," he said. His comments followed those of Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University, who warned the party was taking "a bit of a gamble" in changing its stance on taxation. "Simply changing policy on its own is not enough – you have to sell it. That's why this is a gamble," he said. Prof Curtice also warned that the party's emphasis on tax cuts, redistribution of tax breaks and redistribution of public spending meant it was in danger of sending "mixed messages" to voters. Sir Menzies denied the suggestion that the taxation policy was a radical departure, however. Concluding, he said: "There are a very large number of people… who are really finding it very, very difficult to make ends meet. The tragedy is that these are the people who put their faith in the Labour government. "Some of these were 10p tax cut payers and others are people who for various reasons do not qualify for one kind of benefit or another. "That's why the tax proposals which are to be debated this afternoon are right in principle and right in practice and that's why I shall be voting for them." The fringe audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
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