Taxing Questions

Everyone laughed when the Conservatives went around making pie-in-the-sky spending commitments. We are all still laughing at George Osborne today.

So they are down to a core of a core of a core vote strategy, instead. They are desperate to hold any seats at all. Or so it would appear. Only six per cent of estates are liable to inheritance tax even now.

15,976 estates paid inheritance tax in 2012. Compare and contrast that with the 600,000 people, two thirds of them disabled, who have been hit by the Bedroom Tax.

It is greatly to the credit of the DUP that, even though the Bedroom Tax does not apply in Northern Ireland, that party nevertheless insists on its abolition everywhere as the price of its support. No mention of inheritance tax there.

In fact, with or without the DUP (although probably with it), the position of Sylvia Hermon means that the incoming Labour Government will have at least de facto cross-community support among the MPs for Northern Ireland.

In any case, the Conservatives have had long enough. The last increase in the inheritance tax threshold was under Labour.

Blocked by the Lib Dems? Pull the other one!

To the surprise on no one who pays attention, the Lib Dems have today compromised the principle of universality with regard to the Winter Fuel Allowance and certain other things.

The Lib Dems will go into the next General Election with a commitment to the abolition of inheritance tax, and of capital gains tax, altogether. You read it here first.

Bringing us to UKIP. Perhaps for the last time. "Vote Tory where UKIP cannot win," said Nigel Farage today. In other words, "Vote Tory, said Nigel Farage today."