THE huge cost of coronavirus needs to be shared fairly by the population of Britain and in accordance with their means. Only income tax can do this. Any other means is unfair and falls most heavily on those least able to pay - hard working families, the poor and pensioners on fixed incomes. And at the same time is most easily avoided or reduced by those most wealthy and able to pay.
For that reason I was horrified to hear my local council considering raising council tax to meet such costs! This is the most unfair tax of all, levied solely on the worth of a property which for vast numbers of people is not in any way connected to their ability to pay.
So I have further copied my letter to my MP, the Rt Hon James Cleverly with suitable additional comments. I sincerely hope others may feel inclined to take similar action.
TEXT BEGINS:
Dear Mr Cleverly,
You may have seen that I wrote this week to the Halstead Gazette regarding the costs of the coronavirus response and in particular how this may impact local councils. While my points were directed specifically at the Braintree District Council they represent an opinion which I believe may be much more widely held.
I would ask you in your position as a local MP and former chair of
the Conservative Party to look into this issue and to defend your local
constituents against what may prove to be an unfair burden when compared
to the national emergency. Indeed, a post code lottery, as our media
friends are inclined to title such attacks on the hard working, the
poorer and the pensioner.
TEXT OF LETTER: I was horrified to read that Braintree Council is considering raising
council tax to pay for the cost of coronavirus. This has been a national
emergency and all the costs should be handled nationally. That way it
can be evenly and fairly spread across all tax payers including the
filthy rich. Instead a council tax hike will fall unfairly and unevenly on
the hard working and the poorer as well as pensioners.
Typical Tory policy of course for Government to dodge its
responsibilities and leave the locals to pick up the pieces,
Shame on you if you go ahead instead of fighting this shambolic Government. ENDS
