Only the Lib Dems will make tax fairer for all

11.26.25am GMT Sat 19th Dec 2009

The next General Election is now only months away... So what are the main parties saying about tax? The economy is in a dreadful state and we will need to repay the enormous borrowing at some point to balance the books. But many are worried that the Tories will use the state of the economy as an excuse to make big cuts - and leave poorer people worse off. Liberal Democrats believe that it is essential that our tax system is fair and seen to be fair.

We will abolish council tax. This tax, invented by the Tories to replace the hated poll tax, is unfair and needs urgent reform. The Labour Party have dithered about this for years and refused to do anything about it.

We will raise the income tax threshold. We will take those who earn less than £10,000 out of income tax altogether. Millions of people will be better off. People on the minimum wage or state pensions will pay no tax.

The super rich will have to pay tax just like everyone else. By closing loopholes on Capital Gains Tax and offshore trusts everyone else will pay less.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party who will make tax fairer. The Conservatives are not interested in making life fairer for ordinary people. Their main tax proposals benefit dead millionaires.

And the Labour Party have had 12 years to reform tax to make things better for ordinary people. They have failed. Their main contribution in recent years has been to abolish the 10p tax rate - making many Nottingham people worse off!