Theresa May commits the country to inequality, austerity and social division

Posted on

Interviewed by Robert Peston this morning Theresa May said  the Conservatives have no plans to increase taxes, and claimed Labour had. However, when asked to reiterate the tax triple lock brought in by David Cameron, covering national insurance, income tax and VAT May only ruled out increasing VAT. The ambiguities are obvious, not least because Labour has already committed to no VAT or NIC increases.

But what's really bizarre is the claim, which may well haunt her.

The country is running a deficit, which she says she is committed to removing (even if that is a meaningless and harmful target). And the deficit will get worse after Brexit, if that is not already happening. Having a worse trade deal with our biggest trading partner pretty much guarantees that, and that is what we'll get on top of having to pay a lot to secure that outcome.

What is more the tax system is far from perfect and is in need of reform: rates can be in that mix.

But what is being said is that despite all this taxes are off the agenda. The single biggest tool the government has to shape the society we live in is apparently ruled out of consideration, come what may. What that means is four things.

Government won't be shaping society.

The gross imbalances in favour of a few will continue.

And austerity is guaranteed.

Social division follows, naturally.

That's what May said this morning. And she wants to be Prime Minister.


Thanks for reading this post.
You can share this post on social media of your choice by clicking these icons:

You can subscribe to this blog's daily email here.

And if you would like to support this blog you can, here: