Tory tax snips

The Conservatives seem to be having a fairly good electoral campaign so far, Howard Flight and doctored photos aside. Today, they played their ace (Joker would be more appropriate) about tax cuts. It's the one subject they seem bashful about, "everyone" wants more spending on the NHS and education according to the pollsters, but then want everyone else to pay more tax as they already pay too much!! The Conservatives have been able to tease us by saying they will give £4bn of our money back to us as we know how to spend our money best. Why have they then totally spoiled their vote winning claim by saying that we will only get our money back if we have a pension? Yes, I know there is a pensions crisis. Means tested benefits and a marginal rate of tax of 40% on savings is a far greater reason not to save than being given an extra £10 back for every £100 put in a pension fund is a reason to save. It would be far better to say that personal allowances will be increased and they want us to save more rather than only giving tax cuts to those who have a personal pension.

I recognise that the Conservatives, like Labour, can never say that taxes will not rise in the future, but unlike Labour I would like to think that they could make a pledge that as far as is possible, taxes will not rise on their watch.

I am slowly coming to the conclusion that the best thing for the Conservatives is to narrowly lose the election to Labour, taxes will inevitably rise, people will become more and more incensed about this. The Conservatives will then sweep to power in a landslide victory in 2009.