Stephen Hepburn, the Labour MP for Jarrow, asked Stephen Timms this question in the Commons last week):I am not worried about the 50 per cent tax rate, but I am sure that Vince Cable is right to talk about closing tax loopholes rather than raising rates. If people are not paying tax it does not matter what the rate is.I read with interest at the weekend that certain celebrity millionaires, such as Sir Michael Caine, are considering leaving the country because of the Government’s tax moves. Could they be reminded that it is ordinary, hard-working people, who pay money to watch their films, who put them where they are?
We should give those celebrities the message that if they cannot support services for those hard-working people, such as the national health service, when the country is going through a bit of a problem, good riddance to them, and we should say, “Don’t come back.”
I also think that there is now too great a gap between top earners and the rest of us, but that is better tackled by reforming corporate governance than by trying to claw a little of it back through the the tax system.
What does worry me about Hepburn's rant is that it displays the old Labour distrust of anyone who achieves eminence in any field. I find it hard to get enthusiastic about a celebration of "ordinary, hard-working people" - New Labour meets the old East Germany.
In particular, a left-wing politician who celebrates the departure from these shores of someone who led the triumphal march of working-class actors into the cinema (don't worry, Surrey: it's long since been halted) is culturally illiterate.
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I read with interest at the weekend that certain members of parliament, such as Stephen Hepburn, are considering ruining the country because of the Government’s tax moves. Could they be reminded that it is ordinary, hard-working people, who vote for their pampered asses, who put them where they are?
We should give those MPs the message that if they cannot support services for those hard-working people, such as the national health service, when the country is going through a bit of a problem, good riddance to them, and we should say, “Don’t come back.”
taxman's sticky fingers not labour's worst behavioiur. it's least attractive aspect is the puritanical, mrs grundyism most perfectly realised in harriet harperson. with an acknowledgment of the abysmal 'anything goes' immigration policy, of course. no wonder things is looking up for the b.n.p. who isn't sickened?
Correct me if I am mistaken, but didn't Sir Michael say he would consider leaving the country if the taxman took more than half of his earnings? The implication is that he accepts that high-earners should pay more, but that there is a point at which super-tax becomes unfair.
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