William MacDougall attacks LibDem plans for new and higher taxes 22/09/04

William MacDougall, Conservative candidate for Tottenham, has warned that dozens of new taxes planned by the Liberal Democrats would come as a hammer blow to hundreds of Haringey families.

MacDougall highlighted the high tax, high spend agenda being developed by Charles Kennedy's party - including 40 new tax levies and over 100 costly spending commitments - and said:

"A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a dangerous and expensive vote. They plan to introduce penal tax rates for hard working families. Their local income tax would cost the typical two-earner couple an additional £630 in tax every year. It would hit young couples just as they are starting out in life - planning a family, saving for a mortgage, saving for their future. And they must be mad to trust Labour-run Haringey with an income tax!"

Speaking as Liberal Democrats gathered for their annual party conference in Bournemouth, Mr MacDougall said that in addition, the Lib Dems are pushing for a regional income tax to pay for the Regional Assemblies that nobody wants. "The bill for that could be as high as £1100 for the typical
two-earner couple," he warned.

A Conservative analysis of Lib Dems proposals highlighted 40 new taxes, including a new 50% income tax rate, a water tax, a dog tax, a parking tax, smoker's tax, a new homes tax, a business land tax, and a City of London tax. Also on their agenda is a development tax, an exchange and capital flows tax, a higher landfill tax, a waste tax, plastic bag tax, pesticide tax, overseas territories tax, a double whammy inheritance tax, energy tax, pensions tax, airport tax, congestion tax, and a new tax on 4x4 vehicles.

The warning coincided with publication of a Conservative Research Department document exposing the LibDem "tax sting", and revealing how few people would escape paying out more under a LibDem administration. "A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for higher taxes. The Liberal Democrats aren't cuddly or harmless. They are dangerous. They are a high taxing, high spending party that will cost hard working families dear," the parliamentary hopeful added.

ENDS.