Current Affairs The Labour Party

[Bruce Wayne]

I'm of the view that higher tax rates should apply to higher earners. I appreciate that will be a different view to yourself and others. Ideally government would go after the super rich who avoid paying taxes entirely, or pay minimal through dodging the system, but that wish will seemingly never be granted.

To do what with though? For instance, interest payments on government debt were over £100bn last year. I'd be happy to have conversations not only on what taxes to raise but also on what should be spent, as for as long as I can remember, the government has run a deficit, perhaps in part driven by Dave's fantasy mindset that debt doesn't cost anything, when it costs future generations quite a lot. I "suspect" that the tax raises won't be to eliminate the huge budget deficit (which currently stands at just shy of £50bn), but I might be wrong.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

To do what with though? For instance, interest payments on government debt were over £100bn last year. I'd be happy to have conversations not only on what taxes to raise but also on what should be spent, as for as long as I can remember, the government has run a deficit, perhaps in part driven by Dave's fantasy mindset that debt doesn't cost anything, when it costs future generations quite a lot. I "suspect" that the tax raises won't be to eliminate the huge budget deficit (which currently stands at just shy of £50bn), but I might be wrong.

That's a fair point, I can't see that being the case either, I would hope the money is used for those in most need right? Feeding hungry kids, education and healthcare etc. Filling in the fiscal hole is a necessity but politicians seem to be kicking that can down the road for a long time now.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

That's a fair point, I can't see that being the case either, I would hope the money is used for those in most need right? Feeding hungry kids, education and healthcare etc. Filling in the fiscal hole is a necessity but politicians seem to be kicking that can down the road for a long time now.

It's a pickle and no mistake. We're already being taxed an awful lot as a country, yet public services aren't in a good way and the economy is far from dynamic.

 

[Hinchcliffe's Corner]

It's a pickle and no mistake. We're already being taxed an awful lot as a country, yet public services aren't in a good way and the economy is far from dynamic.

Fighting Covid with lockdowns and other such matters have definitely been a massive spanner in the works economically. It was absolutely the right thing to do, but with lives being saved I think it's society's duty to help recover from that seeing as many have been given a chance to do so. My worry is that as said it'll just keep getting kicked down the road until there's financial ruin, and this problem isn't isolated to just the UK.

 

[Amw79]

I'm gonna assume it doesn't affect you?

Correct. Private school fees and second home taxation doesn’t affect me, or 90% of the electorate.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Correct. Private school fees and second home taxation doesn’t affect me, or 90% of the electorate.

How would you respond if proposed tax rises did affect you?

 

[Xizor]

Correct. Private school fees and second home taxation doesn’t affect me, or 90% of the electorate.

Indeed. It's very typical Telegraph "war on aspiration" stuff. People can be doing well for themselves (dual 50k+ incomes) without wanting to send kids to private school or invest in a property portfolio - and of course most households are far off that headline income figure anyway.

 

[Amw79]

How would you respond if proposed tax rises did affect you?

I’ve pretty consistently, for decades, said I’m content to pay more tax. Without wanting to swing my d!ck around, I pay the higher tax rate, and am happy to pay more.

Are you not in favour of a progressive taxation system?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I’ve pretty consistently, for decades, said I’m content to pay more tax. Without wanting to swing my d!ck around, I pay the higher tax rate, and am happy to pay more.

Are you not in favour of a progressive taxation system?

You can voluntarily do so, you know? Most hospitals accept donations.

As for your question, we already have the highest tax take since the war and get little for it. I'd like to see Labour spend money better first. How much has been wasted on PPE and HS2, as just two obvious examples.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I’ve pretty consistently, for decades, said I’m content to pay more tax. Without wanting to swing my d!ck around, I pay the higher tax rate, and am happy to pay more.

Are you not in favour of a progressive taxation system?

£50,000 isn't much in London.

 

[Amw79]

You can voluntarily do so, you know? Most hospitals accept donations.

I give a set % proportion of my income every month to charity, and have done for many years.

Sorry Bruce, but you’re being a bit of a nob here, and didn’t answer my question.

 

[Amw79]

£50,000 isn't much in London.

I’m not in London.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I give a set % proportion of my income every month to charity, and have done for many years.

Sorry Bruce, but you’re being a bit of a nob here, and didn’t answer my question.

Sorry, I edited with an answer.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I’m not in London.

A lot of tax payers are.

 

[Amw79]

Sorry, I edited with an answer.

It wasn’t an answer to the question, it was a commentary on allocation of taxes.

Are you in favour of a progressive taxation system?