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Swinney's tax 'arrogance'

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Published Date: 21 July 2008
LABOUR'S Iain Gray has accused Finance Minister John Swinney of "arrogance and complacency" in his reaction to criticisms of the SNP's local income tax plans.
A host of organisations, from CBI Scotland to the STUC and professional accountancy bodies, have attacked the policy in responses to the Scottish Government's consultation on the issue.

In a radio interview, Mr Swinney said there were "clearly points of detail" raised by many organisations which the government would reflect on.

But Mr Gray, MSP for East Lothian, said: "To dismiss the wave of criticism of the SNP tax plans as 'points of detail' shows breathtaking arrogance and complacency.

"The tax would have to be set at a rate much higher than the SNP say, would lead to local services being slashed and undermine Scotland's economy.

"These are not 'points of detail', they are fundamental flaws."





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  • Last Updated: 21 July 2008 10:36 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

BIG EYE,

Paisley 21/07/2008 12:03:00
The real arrogance here is that Mr Gray and his discredited bunch of Labour chancers think that even though they lost the election they can still dictate what should happen.

Face reality Labour, you are yesterday's news and it is only going to become clearer as time goes on that this is the case!
2

Shurley,

on my knees praying 21/07/2008 13:00:42
Get your SNP rosette here, come on guys, you can do much better, I mean, after you've given all our cash away, you'll need to start selling the rosettes in order to make the books balance. Or maybe we could just avoid the democratic process completely and allow Donald to build another golf course wherever he wants.

GET YOUR SNP ROSETTE HERE
3

Marian,

21/07/2008 13:07:50
Mr Gray of the UK New Labour branch office in Scotland needs to learn that it is the voters that the Scots Government represents first and foremost and not unelected bodies with affiliation to New Labour and other vested interests and the voters will decide the merits of the LIT proposals as they see them affecting them personally.
4

Tynietiger,

21/07/2008 13:12:27
Council Tax up 60% in Edinburgh under Labour.

Local Income Tax much fairer system as it is based on ability to pay.
5

subrosa,

21/07/2008 15:10:54
# 5

And LIT will be easier to collect thereby resulting in far less unpaid accounts. Good all round for most of the population.
6

The Tin Man,

21/07/2008 16:00:49
#4 Lilian

If the scot exec offered a £280MM tax cut on council tax, as per the SNP's LIT figures, then the voters would be choosing between LIT & CT on a level playing field.
7

Legacy,

21/07/2008 16:28:59
Council Tax Unpaid For 2006/2007
£110,000,000
8

Alan B,

21/07/2008 18:15:50
#The Tin Man

Labour should have made that tax cut to council tax or not raised the tax so much in the first place causing resentment.
9

,

21/07/2008 19:54:17
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

democracy,

Scottish Borders 21/07/2008 20:57:23
Iain Gray says Swinney is arrogant about the LIT.

Who is this man to call anyone arrogant when all he has as an option is the status quo, do I have to remind him that this option played a big part in New Labours downfall as an arrogant method of council tax that does not CARE about ability to pay!!

Does he STILL not get the message, my god he must be slow witted!

Could this be the same guy who was made to look like a stuttering little schoolboy on Newsnight Scotland by Gordon Brewer when he asked him straight questions and received nonsensical gibberish!!
11

Jed Smith,

Moscow 22/07/2008 01:57:15
#12

'Nonsensical gibberish' - aye, them were the days when gibberish made sense, eh?

12

Andrew D,

BNE 22/07/2008 02:57:27
Since when is a party trying to progress a manifesto pledge and policy "arrogance"?
13

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 22/07/2008 22:21:00
Not a word from any other party. Scotsman, hang your head in shame !!

 

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