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Analysis: Compromise on the cards, but a by-election could prove crucial

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Published Date: 08 September 2008
By David Maddox
THE compromise offered by the Liberal Democrats will force the SNP to show if it is serious about abolishing council tax.
Both the Nationalists and the Lib Dems have long believed there should be an income-based form of local taxation.

But there had been a feeling that the SNP was hoping to fail with its proposal of a centrally set 3p income tax supplement so that th
e party could go into the next election able to blame the others for keeping the "hated" council tax.

But Mr Purvis has accepted a solution being openly aired by senior Nationalist MSPs which has put the ball back in John Swinney's court. On the basis of this compromise, there would most likely be 63 votes in favour of LIT and 65 against.

But the Greens – who have two MSPs and are no lovers of the council tax – have also shifted their position over the weekend from opposing an income-based alternative. So it is possible a solution involving their land value tax plan – or "garden tax" – could be found, perhaps targeted at developers.

That would then be enough for a 65 to 63 majority.

However, there is also the possibility of a by-election in Motherwell and Wishaw – the seat of Labour's Jack McConnell, the former First Minister – to consider.

If Mr McConnell wants to take up the post of High Commissioner of Malawi he will have to quit in the not too distant future.

And few people would dare bet against the Nationalists winning that by-election considering their popularity and Labour's dismal state, especially after Glasgow East.

Given that it will take time for the legislation to go through the SNP may have won the by-election by the time the crucial vote comes, bringing the pro-LIT lobby up to 64. In those circumstances they could ignore the Green's land value tax proposal and try to win over Independent MSP Margo MacDonald.

Then it will not matter that almost every organisation in Scotland opposes it or if the Treasury stamps its feet – Scotland will have LIT for better or worse.





The full article contains 363 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 07 September 2008 9:49 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

,

08/09/2008 00:23:29
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
2

Team Scotland,

FC UK No! 08/09/2008 00:50:24

It is wrong to think the SNP want it to fail but they will be aware that should it fail, they will be able to make political capital out of it. If a deal is done the ground will shift from opposition to addressing the concerns raised as the bill progresses.
3

Senga Jean,

08/09/2008 01:37:33
C'mon Scotland. C'mon SNP!
4

RossA,

T/O 08/09/2008 02:35:52
"But there had been a feeling"
Lousy grammar, no attribution.
F minus.
Try a lot harder, you could get a D Mr Maddox, but maybe not.
5

,

08/09/2008 03:31:43
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
6

Joshua Vincent,

USA 08/09/2008 04:00:47
Calling the land value tax(LVT) a "garden tax" is an insult to the poor US steel towns abandoned by the global system who use LVT to reduce tax on the poor. It is an insult to the Australian and New Zealand towns fighting sprawl and meekly accepting more central government control.

It is an insult to those who are struggling daily in wasted and abandoned urban areas in Glasgow, Scotland and beyond, who want to be given a chance to develop their own economies without - God Help Us - solutions dealt as if by Zeus from an uncomprehending and ignorant perch in the clouds.

Let localities control themselves. Tax policy IS local control. They know what ails them, and they know what will help them.

The Greens in Scotland are right.
All the others are trying to preserve the status quo, a system that has taxed those that work and produce since the feudal system collapsed.

Let's again ask the question that the Scottish Greens have elegantly and permanently answered: Who ought to be most liable for tax? Those that labor, produce and save? Or,those that prosper on the actions of the whole community, the whole nation, without any effort on their part?

The answer used to be obvious to LibDems, Labour and yes, even the Conservatives. The answer has not changed since Adam Smith's - certainly a good Scot - time, protestations of Marxists and Capitalists notwithstanding:

"Ground-rents...are altogether owing to the good government of the sovereign....Nothing can be more reasonable than that a fund which owes its existence to the good government of the state, should be taxed peculiarly, or should contribute something more than the greater part of other funds, towards the support of that government."

Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776), Book V, Chap. II, Part I, article I.

The SNP should understand that new times, and new governments, call for new measures.

Think beyond received "truth" of what tax means. Tax community created land values, and le
7

W U Merchant,

Aberdeen 08/09/2008 07:05:02
6

Joshua, the Blessed Alex knows far more about The Wealth of Nations than you ever will. After all, his best chum is Madsen Pirie.
8

Hugo of Garven,

08/09/2008 08:34:13
" . . almost every organisation in Scotland opposes it . . . "

Is this statement true?
9

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 08/09/2008 08:41:52
#8 Of course it's not true.
10

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 08/09/2008 08:44:33
It beats me why the media are pushing this idea that the SNP are not serious about bringing forward LIT.

This is a cornerstone policy of their manifesto and it is nonsensical to say that they want it to fail.
11

MoClana,

08/09/2008 09:10:01
. . almost every organisation in Scotland opposes it . . .??

That would be the Labour controlled Lanarkshire councils, CBI (Pals of new labour) and the Labour financing trade Unions? amongst 'other' groups having to call in a favour from Labour

The whole duration of this debate, the media and so called 'proffesional organisations' have never focussed on what it means to the majority of people in this country - that is relief from crippling council tax.

The anti LIT have focussed on students - who for some reason should be exempt from paying taxes! and get discounts everywhere they go, and houses of multiple occupancy.ie 3 proffesionals sharing a flat.

The above profiles have been sold in the media as if they are the majority of Scots, they are not and shouldnt be exampt in the first place.

What about the single person trying to get on the housing ladder, the couple on average incomes struggling?, the young familes ? or everyone else who wants to work hard own their homes and improve their lives?

The SNP goverment has their support even if the anti Scottish media and its black network of friends do not.

Soar Alba

 

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