Task 7 - Tax and the Economy
TSR's model parliament.
| Announcements | Posted on | |
|---|---|---|
-
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- PS Helper
- TSR Royalty
- Location: UK
- Posts: 21,015
Task 7 - Tax and the Economy
BNP
No statement submitted.
Conservative Party
The Conservatives believe that a strong economy is the foundation for everything we do. It provides higher living standards so that people can look to the future with optimism. It creates the jobs we all depend on- enabling families to build their financial independence. It guarantees our pensions in old age. It provides a safety net for the less fortunate. It pays for our public services- our children's education and our parent's health. And it allows us to invest in our nation's security- the police, border controls and defence.
People, not governments make strong economies. But if the government has the right values, it can make a real difference. Trusting free enterprise; promoting individual responsibility; rewarding hard work; admiring excellence; encouraging ambition- these are the right values.
They are the Conservative values.
•We will halt the stifling increase in regulation for industry.
•Government spending will be affordable and based on economic growth, not on how much we can borrow.
•We will cut down on needless bureaucracy, allowing us to reduce taxes by £4 billion and foster a strong economy.
•We will plan for the future, by helping people save, not forcing them onto benefits.
Green Party
We believe that natural, finite resources are capital, not income. Natural resource use must be sustainable, and production must be cyclical, not linear. We believe that enterpreneurial activity should be encouraged and directed to develop business models and products which can set the standard for the rest of the world.
Actions for 2005-2010.
Introduce a Citizen's Income and Citizen's Pension, to ensure every citizen has the same minimum basic income, regardless of age/gender/occupation.
Promote economic localisation, increase local investment and the circulation of local finance within the community, create employment and defend workers’ rights. We feel that the profits made in Britain by multinationals could be made by British enterprises instead.
Introduce a more finely graded tax-rate system, higher incomes attracting higher marginal rates of tax than middle and lower incomes.
Phase out VAT and replace it with a range of situation-dependent eco-taxes based on natural resource usage, pollution and waste.
Replace GDP as a means of assessing wealth. We believe that true wealth is being healthy, having the support of a close community, having opportunity to develop and learn regardless of age or background. We do not believe a large income can compensate for overwork and time-poverty.
Vote Green!
Labour Party
Labour’s economic record is unprecedented. This government has overseen the highest employment ever, the longest period of uninterrupted growth in modern history, the lowest sustained interest and inflation rates for a generation.
The UK economy has grown every quarter since Labour came to power. Employment is up by two million, and 300,000 more businesses have been established since 1997.
Britain currently has the longest period of sustained low inflation and interest rates since the 1960s.
Lower mortgage rates mean that the average mortgage payer saves an average of £315 a month, compared to under the Conservatives.
Strong and dependable public services are being delivered through sustained investment and reform.
Labour, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have shown effective leadership through tough, long-term decisions on the economy: independence for the Bank of England, bringing public finances under control, and reducing the national debt. All this has created the economic stability and sustained growth we enjoy today.
Since 1997, Britain, unique amongst the major industrialised economies, has avoided recession, and the old British tendency for a stop-go, boom-bust economy. Instead we have had the longest period of continuous growth since records began.
Liberal Democrats
Tax and the Economy
We believe in a stable, well-managed economy - based on fairer taxes, and honest choices in public spending.
A fairer taxation system will be based, on the belief that those people who are able to pay more should be able to do so. Introduction of a 50% top rate of tax- for the 1% of the population earning over £100,000- will be essential to implementing our range of policies, yet without pushing debt on the poorest, and the poorest into poverty.
Council tax is unfair: this method of taxation does nothing to take income into account. Thousands are victimised, and among those are the most vulnerable of society, including the elderly. A Local Income Tax would again make sure that tax is based on ability to pay, leaving the average household £450 better off.
The Institute of Financial Studies have reported that 70% of people would be best off under our tax plans. Even for those who end up paying more, there will almost certainly be benefits elsewhere- savings on tuition fees and elderly care, as just two examples.
The Liberal Democrat tax and spending proposals for this election are fully costed, affordable, and fair.
Monster Raving Looney Party
We of the MRLP understand that tax is a boring and generally not fun thing. If elected, we intend to change this in the following ways:
- Income Tax will be officially replaced by people lending the government a bob or two at the end of the week when we’re a bit skint.
- In keeping with our aim of making Britain a nicer happier place, tax credits will be paid to nice people. There will be a “total bastard” tax for everyone else.
- Fancy Dress Shops will get a Government Subsidy, and be 0% rated for V.A.T
- It is proposed that National Insurance is disbanded, since no one ever gets a no claims discount.
- Internationally, we intend to cancel all third world debt. It’s madness to actually expect them to pay it.
- The Loonies propose that a minimum requirement of Maths 'O' Level be made for all government ministers and their treasury advisers, thereby preventing two different rates of inflation when used to calculate raises in both state benefits and taxes.
And finally, the policy that will have the greatest effect on daily life: We will issue a 99p coin to save on change.
Just like the MRLP, it makes sense!
Scottish National Party
No statement submitted.
UKIP
No statement submitted. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: Herefordshire
For those enamoured by our principles, this post will cover our proposals in more detail, courtesy of Golden Maverick;
CREATE A LOWER TAX ECONOMY.
We will save £12 billion a year by 2007-8 by cutting back on other things, including:
• 168 public bodies
• A quarter of a million bureaucratic posts
• The almost £1 billion wasted in the immigration system
• The New Deal, which we will abolish
• Not having expensive bodies including Labour’s supreme court and regional assemblies
SUPPORT SAVING AND GIVE PENSIONERS DIGNITY IN RETIREMENT.
• Match the Government’s one-off £200 payment and their other special payments to pensioners
• Introduce a new, permanent discount to reduce pensioners’ current council tax bills by 50 per cent, up to a maximum of £500 off per household
REDUCE REGULATION.
• Imposing strict regulatory budgets to cap, and then cut, the
total impact cost of regulations enacted each year
• Introducing a Deregulation Bill, to include scrapping the Best Value and Comprehensive Performance Assessment for local government
• Cutting the Department of Trade and Industry to one fifth of its present size
• Repealing specific business regulations as well as granting small businesses exemptions where necessary
• Auditing current regulations, using Sunset Reviews
• Withdrawing from the most burdensome EU regulations, including the Social Chapter
• Only supporting EU legislation that is costed
ENSURE A STABLE ECONOMY WITH LOW INTEREST RATES.
-
- Reputation:
- TSR Legend
- Location: London
Membership of the EU - like having a Tory govt doesn't allow you to pick which policies you have and which you don't. You vote Tory for the crime bill, you're gonna get rubbish policies like health and environmental thrown in too.(Original post by Trier)
For those enamoured by our principles, this post will cover our proposals in more detail, courtesy of Golden Maverick;
• Withdrawing from the most burdensome EU regulations, including the Social Chapter
• Only supporting EU legislation that is costed
To that end, how do you propose maintaining membership of the EU when you withdraw from key principals, and veto multiple proposals?
Tories support distancing themselves from our Europeans cousins, and moving closer to the Americans (simply cos they speak da lingo) -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: Herefordshire
The Conservatives want to remain in the EU, but work to ensure that all proposals are considered properly.(Original post by foolfarian)
Membership of the EU - like having a Tory govt doesn't allow you to pick which policies you have and which you don't. You vote Tory for the crime bill, you're gonna get rubbish policies like health and environmental thrown in too.
To that end, how do you propose maintaining membership of the EU when you withdraw from key principals, and veto multiple proposals?
Tories support distancing themselves from our Europeans cousins, and moving closer to the Americans (simply cos they speak da lingo)
Most proposals are not even considered in any detail by the Parliament- this has to be changed; they have to be proven useful.
Many EU governments feel this way, the Conservative are not alone in this.
If you want to talk in detail about the EU- look to the EU task thread where I went into pedantic detail about it.
-
- Reputation:
- Adored and Respected Member
- Location: here and there
"168 public bodies" - which would these be then? Is the CSA included? If so, what are you going to replace it with?(Original post by Trier)
"We will save £12 billion a year by 2007-8 by cutting back on other things, including:"
"A quarter of a million bureaucratic posts" - what will you do with the people occupying those posts? Are they going to go on the dole? Are you going to re-train them? Set them to work making straw stools?
"The almost £1 billion wasted in the immigration system" - so you want to introduce measures like border police instead because they will be cheaper than £1bn? Is this figure over a period of time, or an annual figure? And which exact parts of the immigration system are wasting it? And speaking of border police, will you also put them on the Northern Ireland/ Republic border?
**
"Match the Government’s one-off £200 payment and their other special payments to pensioners" - just to pensioners? What about disabled? Long-term sick? Mentally handicapped?
**
"Introducing a Deregulation Bill, to include scrapping the Best Value and Comprehensive Performance Assessment for local government" - privatising again? Forgotten what happened last time?
"Cutting the Department of Trade and Industry to one fifth of its present size" - why? Is this to do with you bureaucratic post cutting?
"Repealing specific business regulations as well as granting small businesses exemptions where necessary" - which business regulations would those be? Anything to do with environmental impact?
"Withdrawing from the most burdensome EU regulations, including the Social Chapter" - oh yes, and would that be in line with cutting welfare?
Oh wait, I just found these floating about...
"Vienna: Its quite clear you believe that developed nations and economies should be penalised because of a perverse interest to see a global redistribution of wealth"
"kemiandtheboy:What is human nature? To rise to the challenge and achieve the impossible? Or to give in to greed and self-gratification?
Vienna:They arent exclusive. Id say the latter is far more accurate in any case.
GoldenMaverick:Often they are one and the same."
"Vienna: {snip}the greedy, free thinking masses that you detest so much"
I'd rather see Labour in power for another term than Tories, the policies put forward by the TSR Tories are every bit as greedy, uncivil, and self-destructive as the Tory policies in the real world. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: Herefordshire
They are mainly Labour created Inspectorates- the CSA will not be included.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"168 public bodies" - which would these be then? Is the CSA included? If so, what are you going to replace it with?
Are you suggesting our taxes should go towards paying for useless jobs?(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"A quarter of a million bureaucratic posts" - what will you do with the people occupying those posts? Are they going to go on the dole? Are you going to re-train them? Set them to work making straw stools?
Personally, I would rather these jobs be removed and the employees be aided in finding useful employment. Subsidising useless jobs would lead to greater problems in the future. Considering your last point, and Labour's similar stance, you seem rather hypocritical.
I am sure you are aware that waste is separate to necessary tasks. Currently, much money is wasted by allowing uncontrolled immigration and maintaining illegal immigrants. By reducing the effect of this using Conservative proposals, money will be saved.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"The almost £1 billion wasted in the immigration system" - so you want to introduce measures like border police instead because they will be cheaper than £1bn? Is this figure over a period of time, or an annual figure? And which exact parts of the immigration system are wasting it? And speaking of border police, will you also put them on the Northern Ireland/ Republic border?
The £1 billion will be save every year.
The cost of the Border Police at every major British port will be cheaper than our current spending on immigration, especially considering the amalgamation of the inspectorates it involves.
Pensioners are a separate issue to the disabled.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"Match the Government’s one-off £200 payment and their other special payments to pensioners" - just to pensioners? What about disabled? Long-term sick? Mentally handicapped?
I fail to see anything regarding privatisation.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"Introducing a Deregulation Bill, to include scrapping the Best Value and Comprehensive Performance Assessment for local government" - privatising again? Forgotten what happened last time?.
Yes, inefficiencies in the current organisation have been identified.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"Cutting the Department of Trade and Industry to one fifth of its present size" - why? Is this to do with you bureaucratic post cutting?
Since there are over 55,000 regulations, stating which ones will be repealed would be ludicrous. As to your second point, you should be aware that the Conservatives will be introducing their own regulations as per the environment.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"Repealing specific business regulations as well as granting small businesses exemptions where necessary" - which business regulations would those be? Anything to do with environmental impact?
Cutting welfare? That is quite a worrying thought- could you provide evidence of where the Conservatives propose that?(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
"Withdrawing from the most burdensome EU regulations, including the Social Chapter" - oh yes, and would that be in line with cutting welfare?
Oh wait, I just found these floating about...
That statement is unnecessary and unsubstantiated.(Original post by kemiandtheboy)
I'd rather see Labour in power for another term than Tories, the policies put forward by the TSR Tories are every bit as greedy, uncivil, and self-destructive as the Tory policies in the real world. -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Location: Enfield, north London
- Posts: 5,409
Good Lord - here's something else that's unprecedented: a policy statement that contains no policy whatsoever! How on Earth have Labour managed to do no better in 200 words than talk up the achievements of the past, without including a single plan for the future? And how, I also wonder, have people voted as "best policy statement" a statement with no policy?(Original post by PQ)
Labour Party
Labour’s economic record is unprecedented. This government has overseen the highest employment ever, the longest period of uninterrupted growth in modern history, the lowest sustained interest and inflation rates for a generation.
The UK economy has grown every quarter since Labour came to power. Employment is up by two million, and 300,000 more businesses have been established since 1997.
Britain currently has the longest period of sustained low inflation and interest rates since the 1960s.
Lower mortgage rates mean that the average mortgage payer saves an average of £315 a month, compared to under the Conservatives.
Strong and dependable public services are being delivered through sustained investment and reform.
Labour, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have shown effective leadership through tough, long-term decisions on the economy: independence for the Bank of England, bringing public finances under control, and reducing the national debt. All this has created the economic stability and sustained growth we enjoy today.
Since 1997, Britain, unique amongst the major industrialised economies, has avoided recession, and the old British tendency for a stop-go, boom-bust economy. Instead we have had the longest period of continuous growth since records began. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: Manchester , United Kingdom
We plan to KEEP its going,(Original post by ThePants999)
Good Lord - here's something else that's unprecedented: a policy statement that contains no policy whatsoever! How on Earth have Labour managed to do no better in 200 words than talk up the achievements of the past, without including a single plan for the future? And how, I also wonder, have people voted as "best policy statement" a statement with no policy?
. I don't think the Lib Dems know what a Economy is.
-
- Reputation:
- TSR Idol
- Location: No.
Not quite unprecedented. The TSR Conservatives' policy post on Iraq was found to make no mention whatsoever of... er, Iraq.(Original post by ThePants999)
Good Lord - here's something else that's unprecedented: a policy statement that contains no policy whatsoever! How on Earth have Labour managed to do no better in 200 words than talk up the achievements of the past, without including a single plan for the future? And how, I also wonder, have people voted as "best policy statement" a statement with no policy? -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Location: Herefordshire
The £200 is the winter fuel allowance.(Original post by shiny)
Actually come to think of it, did it go Tory up to £500 rebate and then Labour one off £200 ... or was it the other way around?
The Conservatives have also offered £500 off pensioner's Council Tax bills.
. I don't think the Lib Dems know what a Economy is.
