MPs and commentators have been arguing this morning over whether a rise in employer NICs would constitute a violation of Labour’s manifesto pledge, which stated:
“The Conservatives have raised the tax burden to a 70-year high. We will ensure taxes on working people are kept as low as possible. Labour will not increase taxes on working people, which is why we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.”
The IFS considers that a hike would be a “straightforward breach” of the commitment. Tax expert and Labour activist Dan Neidle has pointed out that all employer NIC costs are transferred to employees. Labour’s defence operation has launched on the Tories’ asking for clarification from Labour on whether employer NICs would rise – an election press release issued post-manifesto. The implication being that the manifesto did not rule it out…
Labour MP and “rising star” Dan Tomlinson clarified on Politics Live just now that a hike would constitute a new tax on “working people” because someone who owns and runs a business is obviously a “working person.” The point decimates Labour’s defence as its pledge on “working people” was cast-iron. Was Starmer’s tool factory-owning Dad not a working person?
Three London Labour MPs have written to David Lammy to express their concerns over this week’s decision to suspend a raft of arms export licences to Israel. Solicitor General Sarah Sackman, David Pinto-Duschinsky, and Dan Tomlinson say that their constituents have “expressed deep concern and upset about Monday’s decision.” To put it mildly…
They summarise concerns well:
- The timing of the announcement “shortly after the murder of six hostages by Hamas terrorists. There was particular anger that the announcement itself coincided with the funeral of one of the hostages.“
- “The message that the decision sends to Israel’s enemies, including Hamas, Iran and Iran’s proxies,” including the potential to “adversely affect the security and safety of Israel and its people.”
- The effect of the decision on “Britain’s longstanding relationship with Israel as an ally” and Britain’s “perceived trustworthiness among its allies on the international stage.” Which is diminished…
It’s quite a thing to have the Solicitor General, a minister and senior Law Officer, criticise a policy the government defends on a purely legal basis. The MPs ask for a response from Lammy which they can circulate to constituents. Labour’s justifications since Monday clearly aren’t holding water with them…
Read the full letter below:
It’s no secret that Khan’s ULEZ expansion is unpopular amongst the public, with blade runners ripping down the cameras and 795 crimes recorded relating to damaging the snappers. The crusade against the motorist wallet hitting scheme has reached new heights…
Labour HQ in Chipping Barnet has been adorned with a torn down ULEZ camera, with a rebellious video of the scene circulating on social media. Labour candidate Dan Tomlinson hasn’t commented on the defacement. Not quite the Christmas wreath Labour may have had in mind…
In the video the defiant song “Don’t Tell Me What To Do” plays in the background, leading punters to join a rallying cry against the Labour scheme, commenting “For the Few, Not the Many” and “Not the party of the working class”. The Uxbridge by-election proved putting the brakes on ULEZ might be a vote winner. Now Labour can see this on their doorstep…
