20/09/04 Lib Dem Tax Sting

North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, Cllr Justin Tomlinson attended a key note speech by Michael Howard MP on the Lib Dem plans for new taxes.

Councillor Justin Tomlinson, "It is no suprise that the Lib Dems came last in every single Council seat contested in the North Swindon local elections in June.  The Lib Dems with their tax and spend policies are nothing more than a wasted vote."

Michael Howard has warned that dozens of new taxes planned by the Liberal Democrats would come as a hammer blow to millions of UK families.

Addressing a Conservative Future Conference at the weekend, the Conservative Leader highlighted the high tax, high spend agenda being developed by Charles Kennedy's party ? including 40 new tax levies and over 100 costly spending commitments ? and said:

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a dangerous and expensive vote. They plan to introduce penal tax rates for hard working families. Their local income tax would cost the typical two-earner couple an additional ?630 in tax every year. It would hit young couples just as they are starting out in life - planning a family, saving for a mortgage, saving for their future."

Speaking as Liberal Democrats gathered for their annual party conference in Bournemouth, Mr Howard said that in addition, the Lib Dems are pushing for a regional income tax to pay for the Regional Assemblies that nobody wants. "The bill for that could be as high as £1100 for the typical two-earner couple," he warned.

A Conservative analysis of Lib Dems proposals highlighted 40 new taxes, including a new 50% income tax rate, a water tax, a dog tax, a parking tax, smoker's tax, a new homes tax, a business land tax, and a City of London tax. Also on their agenda is a development tax, an exchange and capital flows tax, a higher landfill tax, a waste tax, plastic bag tax, pesticide tax, overseas territories tax, a double whammy inheritance tax, energy tax, pensions tax, airport tax, congestion tax, and a new tax on 4x4 vehicles.

Mr Howard's speech coincided with publication of a Conservative Research Department document exposing the LibDem "tax sting", and revealing how few people would escape paying out more under a LibDem administration. "A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for higher taxes. The Liberal Democrats aren't cuddly or harmless. They are dangerous. They are a high taxing, high spending party that will cost hard working families dear," the Conservative Leader warned.