Labour “blew it” on 10p tax revolt - Campbell (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Labour “blew it” on 10p tax revolt - Campbell

July 8, 2009 10:06 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on last night's failed backbench Labour revolt over Gordon Brown's decision to abolish the 10p starting rate of income tax, North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Labour MPs had the chance on Tuesday evening to match their rhetoric with action but they blew it.

"If sufficient of them had supported the amendment let by Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead, and supported by opposition parties, the Government would have been forced to make amends to those people - often single women on low incomes - who have been cruelly affected by the abolition of

the 10p tax rate introduced by Gordon Brown in his last Budget as Chancellor.

"It is not enough for Labour MPs to trumpet their concern for the poorest in society and then to spurn the chance to do something about it."

Notes:

Rebel Labour MPs were joined by Liberal Democrat and Tory MPs in seeking to compensate more than a million people who have lost out by the changes. The prime minister won last night's vote by a margin of 43 votes.